The United Kingdom is comprised of four countries, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, each with their own history and culture. The UK Parliament makes laws in areas considered essential to the union such as defence, the economy, and international relations. Historically, Westminster had been the central seat of power in the United Kingdom, via the Houses of Parliament (House of Commons and House of Lords).
The House of Commons is the elected part of the United Kingdom Parliament. Ministers are the members who are in the Government. Political parties not in government are called the opposition. The Speaker is an MP who has been elected by other MPs to act as Chair during debates.
hcenquiries@parliament.uk
0800 112 4272 (Freephone) or 020 7219 4272
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
The House of Lords provides a second opinion to the House of Commons and the Government. The main role of the House of Lords is debating, amending, and making laws, checking and challenging the Government, and investigating public policy.
hlinfo@parliament.uk
0800 223 0855 (Freephone) or 020 7219 3107
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
After 1997, devolution created new power centres in Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Belfast, via the transfer of political and legal powers from the UK Parliament to the Senedd, as well as the Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly. To understand how to make change, it’s important to know how devolution works, the connections between the UK and Wales, and which institution is responsible for which political issue.
It’s important to note that some issues are global rather than local. They affect people in many countries and require solutions and action across nations. For example, the United Nations describes its Sustainable Development Goals as seeking to address the global challenges we face by offering a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. For instance, poverty and hunger affect people everywhere and solving them requires action across national boundaries, including the four UK nations
House of Commons and House of Lords logos © UK Parliament. Senedd logo © Senedd Cymru | Welsh Parliament.
The Senedd (Welsh Parliament) makes laws for and about Wales and holds the Welsh Government to account. The Welsh Government makes policy and proposes laws about devolved issues and proposes the annual budget for each area it’s responsible for. All powers are devolved to Wales, apart for those that are explicitly reserved to the UK Parliament. The key areas devolved to Wales are:
The UK Parliament and government have similar roles to the Senedd, but for the United Kingdom as a whole except on devolved matters. The Senedd cannot change laws on matters under UK Parliament control, however, the UK Parliament can create laws relating to Wales, although it’s not supposed to without the consent of Senedd.
Many parts of the UK have two tiers of local government, county councils and district, borough or city councils. County councils are responsible for services across the whole of a county including education, planning, and waste management. District, borough and city councils cover a smaller area and are usually responsible for services like housing, recycling, and rubbish collection.