Scottish government how does it work

If you are unsure who to contact, you can ask the Public Information team at the Scottish Parliament by:. Watch a BSL video about legislative consent. About the Scottish Parliament. What are the powers of the Scottish Parliament? The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood can pass laws on matters devolved to Scotland. Learn more about the UK Parliament Devolved and reserved powers Since the Scottish Parliament has the power to make laws on a wide range of issues.

Find out more about cookies. The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland and has a range of responsibilities that include: the economy, education, health, justice, rural affairs, housing, environment, equal opportunities, consumer advocacy and advice, transport and taxation.

Some powers are reserved to the UK Government. These include: immigration, the constitution, foreign policy and defence. It is normally formed from the party or parties holding most seats in the Scottish Parliament and it introduces most of the bills that are considered by the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government also proposes how the Scottish budget is allocated through the Budget Bill, which it submits to the Scottish Parliament each year for approval.

Scottish Parliament committees and MSPs who are not members of the Scottish Government scrutinise its work and hold it to account. As well as representing people in the areas where they were elected, some MSPs from the party or parties holding most seats in the Scottish Parliament have an additional role as a Cabinet Secretary or Minister in the Scottish Government. The First Minister is the head of the Scottish Government and chooses the Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers, who then have to be approved by the Parliament.

Scottish Government Ministers and Cabinet Secretaries are allocated specific areas of responsibility such as health or justice. You can contact a Minister by emailing [email protected] or by sending a letter to the Scottish Government. Tel: Email: [email protected].

The Scottish Cabinet and Ministers and their responsibilities can be found on the Scottish Government's website. Yes please!