Mythbuster: who is responsible for which services in the UK

As the 7 May elections draw close some candidates are confusing the powers of local authorities, devolved and central government, we look at where the power lies.

From putting more police on the streets to overhauling planning regulations, reducing immigration and reforming the tax system, a whole host of pledges are being put forward by candidates in the local government and mayoral elections in England,  and Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru elections. 

Cutting waste, protecting schools and healthcare, improving CCTV coverage and introducing zero tolerance for crime are common themes. And candidates have also put forward foreign policy positions and national pay policies. So, who runs what?

The UK is governed through different layers of government, each with a different geographical focus and a different set of responsibilities. Central government deals with national issues affecting the whole UK, local government manages services in specific towns, cities or counties, and devolved government exercises powers that have been transferred from Westminster to governments and legislatures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Central government 

Central government operates at the national level and is responsible for the overall governance of the UK. It is led by the prime minister and the Cabinet, and it deals with major UK-wide issues such as defence, immigration, foreign affairs, taxation, and national policy. In the UK system, parliament makes laws, while central government leads policy and runs the day-to-day affairs of the country. Central government is supported by the civil service, whose members are politically impartial and help develop and implement policy. 

Local government 

Local government works within a specific local area, such as a town, city, borough or county, and is usually organised through councils. Local government is responsible for practical services that affect daily life, including social care, housing, parks and green spaces, planning, waste collection, local transport, and school admissions. Unlike parliament, local councils cannot make their own laws and must operate within UK law. They are mainly accountable to the people living in their area. 

Devolved government 

Devolved government exists where powers have been transferred from the UK Parliament and UK Government to institutions in different parts of the UK. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own devolved legislature and government: the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government, Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament and Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive. Devolution allows decisions to be made closer to the people affected by them and enables policies to be tailored to regional needs. However, the UK Parliament remains sovereign, and some matters remain reserved to Westminster. 

England and devolution 

England does not have a single devolved parliament in the same way as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Instead, some English areas have devolution deals through combined authorities or mayoral authorities. These bodies often control areas such as transport, housing, skills, policing, and planning, but English devolution is mainly executive rather than legislative, meaning these bodies generally do not have full law-making powers. 

Features of central, local and devolved government in the UK
Feature Central Government Local Government Devolved Government 
Geographical area covered Covers the whole of the UK on national matters. Covers a specific local area, such as a town, city, borough or county. Covers a nation or devolved region of the UK, mainly Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; England has more limited devolved arrangements in some regions. 
Main role Makes national laws and policies and runs the country at UK level. Runs local services and applies national law in the local area. Makes decisions on devolved matters that affect its nation or region, while reserved matters stay with Westminster. 
Key responsibilities Defence, immigration, foreign affairs, taxation, and national strategy. Social care, housing, parks, libraries, local transport, waste collection, local planning and school admissions. Common devolved areas include health, education, transport and some justice or tax powers, depending on the nation. 
Who makes decisions The prime minister and the cabinet. Elected councillors. Elected ministers and representatives in devolved institutions, such as first ministers and members of devolved parliaments or assemblies. 
How leaders are chosen MPs are elected nationally, and the prime minister is chosen from parliament. Councillors are elected by local residents. Members of devolved legislatures are elected in their nation or region; devolved governments are formed from those elected members. 
Who supports decision-makers Civil servants support ministers and government departments. Council officers or local authority staff support councillors. Civil servants in devolved administrations support devolved ministers. 
Law-making powers Can make laws through parliament. Cannot make laws; must follow UK law. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, devolved institutions can make laws in devolved areas; in England, devolved authorities generally have executive powers only, not full law-making powers. 
Accountability Accountable to parliament and the electorate. Accountable to local residents. Accountable to voters in the devolved nation or region, while operating within the wider UK constitutional system. 
Examples UK Government, cabinet, parliament at Westminster. County councils, city councils, borough councils, district councils. Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government; Senedd Cymru and Welsh Government; Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive; in England, some combined or mayoral authorities. 

Together we can defend fairness, equality and strong public services. Use your vote on 7 May to support candidates who will protect your rights and the people you serve every day.

This article is published in English but can be translated easily into Welsh using the Recite Me toolbar on this website.