Devolution is when a central government transfers powers to a local government. It is sometimes called Home Rule or decentralisation.

In the United Kingdom devolution has happened in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Each of these three countries now has an elected legislature which can pass some laws and a government to administer those laws and propose new ones.

These bodies are called

• The Welsh Parliament, and the Welsh Government;
• The Northern Ireland Assembly, and the Northern Ireland Executive; and
• The Scottish Parliament, and the Scottish Government

England does not currently have its own parliament, but there have been increasing calls today for one.