Someone PLEASE Explain......

[DanJARMouse]

Having recently moved to Scotland, and having lived in England all my life I am confused.

Can someone please explain exactly what is controlled by David Cameron and what is controlled by the Scottish Government.

Are there major differences or will what DC says count for Scotland as well?

The free school meals thing got me thinking. We qualify here under low income rules, but am I right in thinking the School meals here are dealt with by the scottish government as apposed to DC?

Just wondering what else is covered by Scottish government....... its going to take some getting used to living here!

DanJARMouse

Roughly speaking

Income tax is set at UK level.
National insurance is set at UK level.
VAT is set at UK level.

Pensions are set at UK level.

The UK government broadly handles foreign policy, defence, and macroeconomic policy.

Every year an amount is calculated based on something called for the Scottish Parliament to spend.

They spend this however they wish on health, education, justice/prisons, and higher education. They are responsible for all Scottish decisions in these areas.

The Scottish Parliament currently has almost no tax raising power - it can vary the income tax rate by 3p in the pound, if I remember correctly, but has never done so. However, it is proposed that responsibility for 10p of the UK income tax rates should be "transferred" to the Scottish Parliament which would then be able to vary it. This is so the Scottish parliament would be responsible for raising tax as well as spending it.

That is very complicated - in fact, it's much more complicated than that! But hopefully it gives you the big picture.

Thank you longfingernails!

So really anything to do with health/education comes down to the scottish government.

Its all a bit complicated really! Ah well, Im sure Ill learn as I go along!!!!

Thanks for trying to help - it does make sense!

The Scottish Parliament has a bit more power, particularly in respect of tax-varying powers, than the Welsh or Northern Irish Assemblies.

But it does amuse/irritate me to read/hear NI Assembly MLAs pontificating on issues over which they clearly have no control and which are over 'reserved' matters that are dealt with/controlled by Westminister.