To wonder if differences between Scotland and rUK are generally known?

[weescotlass]

I see lots of posts about UK and British issues, that seem to refer to England only.

Is it generally understood that Scotland was a separate country pre 1707 and already had its own legal and education system in place, which were retained on the creation of the United Kingdom?

Therefore house buying, school exams, wills, divorce, university degrees, criminal law, policing etc have real distinct differences.

Are people who use the term UK not aware of the differences when refering/advising on something that affects England only?

Genuinely interested and not meaning to cause an argument. I find the differences really interesting, things like inheritance law when people ask about wills, or issues when a buyer pulls out of buying a house. I don't want to comment on new/current controversial legislation!

Probably not. It won't occur to them unless they're actively impacted.

I think many people don’t know. Including us Scots actually. It’s only if you are impacted directly you may become aware, eg re inheritance or something.

Given that when I moved to England some seventy years after Ireland had become an independent country, an entire succession of employees of Jobcentres, including a supervisor, just kept telling me to use the NI number I already had 'because it's all the same system', despite me repeatedly telling them I was not from Northern Ireland, but from Ireland, I doubt it.

I mean, if you don't even know that a neighbouring country isn't in the UK at all, and hasn't been since 1922, I'd be surprised if you had any grasp on Scotland's history, separate education, legal system etc.

I work in planning in England and am aware that the planning systems differ and that property rules are different. Since having DCs I am aware that schooling/uni is different, but hadn't really thought about why that is.

I think part of the problem is that although I am English, I always feel a bit awkward about stating that. Being English and proud seems to make people think you are a far right racist - English people don't really feel able to celebrate their roots like the Scots and Welsh do. We are encouraged to think that we are all British.

I think a lot of posters on mn say "England" when they actually mean the UK. To them England is the UK.

When I was getting married it happened a lot in wedding discussions. Especially with the length of time we had for giving notice and then because we were having a humanist ceremony (I think I lost count of how many times people thought it wouldn't be a legal ceremony).

There's usually someone in a post who asks for clarification on which UK country the OP is in but any reply often seems to be ignored, tbh that's very much a MN-wide thing with people not reading full threads before just having to comment.

England Scotland Northern Ireland and Wales each have separate laws in various areas. Health and social care, education, property etc doesn't stop us being the UK it's just a larger version of a county council.

I was already aware of the different education system and some differences in legal processes, eg house sales, but during my time working in an advice agency (in a specific role but where I was also supposed to have a working knowledge/had access to resources in a wide array of other areas) I came upon a lot more differences than I initially realised. Some of the benefits in Scotland are different, we generally don't have water meters in residential properties, we don't have bailiffs (though we do have other systems of debt recovery), to name but a few!

some posters just assume everyone on mumsnet is English they can't fathom that there is Brittish people living outside of England they see other uk countries as mythical!

There does seem to be a general presumption that a post relates to England. Its always best to mention if it relates to another country, including Scotland in the OP.

I presume Northern Ireland has significant differences too, but I'm more aware of Scottish ones.

i'm sure most people are aware but seeing as the population of England is approx. 56.5 mill, Scotland 5.5 mill, Wales 3.1 and NI 1.9 mill ----perhaps its rather more likely the poster will be in England ....so is it not the onus on them to say if they are living elsewhere!?

I think predominantly the UK users on here are England based which is why I am careful to ask where they are based due to differences. It would be much easier if we all had the same laws, whether English or Scottish. Unless you’ve really had a need to know then why would anyone particularly know the laws are different

It's on op to state where they're from if looking for advice

Yes I'm aware that Scotland has a different Education system to the rest of the UK and that some laws are different but I don't know the ins and outs of them because I don't live in Scotland
So they don't affect me
I guess posers assume that people are talking about England and the rest of the UK when posters ask specific questions about Education and law because Scotland has a much smaller population than England and the rest of UK
For context I also know that Wales and northern Ireland also have heir own devolved government so there's some differences in things like prescription charges etc compared to a England .

If you're asking for advice on a law related matter, the onus is on you to supply such basic information as your jurisdiction.

I think the natural assumption is, that given the respective population differences, if you are asking something that has legal implications and you are in Scotland (or indeed rest of world given this is mainly a UK site) you should state that in the opening post.

For me it is the ultimate drip feed to come on, ask for advice- get it and then say “no I can’t do that I’m in Scotland”.

I am in Scotland by the way

Yes. But because I have worked in policy areas for over 15 years that have been a mixture of devolved and reserved matters.

The one that often catches even NI based people out is the fact the Equality Act 2010 does not apply in Northern Ireland.

Interesting responses thank you. I agree unless posting in Scotsnet, Scottish posters should state where they are or the assumption will be in England.

Water is another one I hadn't thought about, it's just part of our council tax so posts about water rates and meters confuse me!

Interesting. I would always describe myself as Scottish rather than British (irrelevant of independence discussions).

I'm a Scot living in England. ☹️
Many people here seem to use UK when they mean England. It's very confusing.

I also agree it’s on the op to state where they’re from if it’s an issue that would be different in a different part of the uk. As the majority of people in the uk live in England I can understand the assumption that posters are in England. I’m welsh so I’ll mention it if my post is to do with eg schooling or something that is different here

I was trying to explain the difference in school systems to my DD night as her friend had moved to Scotland... wasn't entirely sure whether her friend would be in P7 or S1 as apparently the homework is a lo t easier (August 2011 birthday if a friendly Scot is about!)

friend will be in S1, and in the middle of the age range for the year

I am English but was aware that there are differences in schooling, legal system, house buying etc but not really the specifics as it's never directly impacted me. It's more that if I were to, say, buy a house in Scotland I know the rules would be different and I would need to do more research. I would assume that knowledge is common in my friendship group but I have a fair few friends who have Scottish parents so it may not be representative.

I agree unless posting in Scotsnet, Scottish posters should state where they are or the assumption will be in England.

English posters should also state they're in England rather than assuming it's obvious because UK=England and England is the centre of the bloody world.