As the Scottish Parliament turns 25, we consider its evolution and place in public life in Scotland. Recent reforms both to the devolution settlement and to UK territorial governance present new challenges to the devolved institutions that could constrain policy ambition in the years to come.
The progress of devolution in England over the last 25 years has been cast through performative changes in institutional structures but no changes in devolved policy powers or funding control, which are regarded as essential components of devolution.
Although NI elected representatives can often be heard urging their political opponents to park constitutional matters and cooperate on policy development, in practice most significant policy areas in Northern Ireland are not divorced from constitutional aspirations.
Along with the rest of the UK, Wales’s population is ageing and there is a real chance of population decline, posing significant risks to economic wellbeing. Policy-makers can learn from international evidence on boosting fertility, retaining population and attracting inward migrants.
