Who is responsible?

Different levels of Government have different powers and policy areas within their remit.

Find out which level of government is responsible for making decisions about the issues you care about the most.

 
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Councils

Local councils provide essential services in defined local areas. Councils are made up of local Councillors, who are elected by the public in local elections. Councillors work with local people and partners, such as local businesses and other organisations, to agree and deliver on local priorities. The decisions are implemented by permanent council staff, council officers, who deliver services on a daily basis.

  • Local roads & maintenance 

  • Cycling infrastructure

  • Local nursery & school staff & buildings

  • Local business support & start up advice - council tax

  • Local tourism

  • Parks & green spaces

  • Local planning decisions

  • Recycling & waste collection

  • Neighbourhood renewal funding

  • Community centres & cultural venues - health & safety  - libraries

  • Sport & leisure facilities

  • Building inspection

  • Car parking  - management of conservation areas

  • Litter and street cleaning

  • Licensing

Scottish Parliament

Since 1999 the Scottish Parliament has the power to make laws on a wide range of issues. These are known as devolved matters. Devolved matters include:

  • Climate change

  • Environment

  • Some energy & energy investment powers

  • Agriculture, forestry and fisheries 

  • Food & drink

  • Healthcare & NHS

  • Income Tax

  • Scottish economy - consumer advice

  • Infrastructure investment (e.g. motorways & trunk roads)

  • Public transport, ferries and Scottish airports

  • Industry & manufacturing

  • Tourism

  • Housing

  • Culture

  • Equalities & rights

 

  • Police and emergency services

  • Criminal law and the scottish legal systen

  • Social justice

  • Building standards

  • Homelessness

Graphic featuring an animated shape of Scotland as a country draped in the Scottish flag. Background contains tartan patterns. Text reads 'SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT. BIGGER MATTERS'
Graphic featuring animated UK imagery draped in the colours of the UK flag. Background contains classics UK symbols of the London Eye and double decker buses as a pattern. Text reads 'UK PARLIAMENT. THE WHOLE OF THE UK'

UK Parliament

The UK Parliament in Westminster makes decisions for the whole UK on certain issues.

  • Reserved social security benefits (jobseekers)

  • International development (UK agencies)

  • Renewable energy subsidie

  • Brexit

  • Most taxes

  • International trade

  • Employment law

  • Defence

  • Media & broadcasting

  • Foreign policy

  • immigration

  • Constitutional issues

International Bodies

The United Nations is an international organisation founded in 1945 and committed to

  • Maintaining international peace and security

  • Developing friendly relations among nations

  • Promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights

The UN’s powers include

  • Establishing peacekeeping operations

  • Enacting international sanctions and

  • Authorising military action

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