Scotland within the UK and EU: the work and welfare issue

Small countries and their political variables within globalised policy - ‘Politics matters’

Welfare state expresses the British nation, but political imperative for asymmetric devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (1999)

Scottish devolution Powers to make laws in most areas (but not foreign affairs, defence, social security, employment and business law, broadcasting) Most money in block grant from UK Scottish members continue to sit in UK Parliament, which is the only law- making body for England

Social security not devolved, including tax credits, housing benefit, New Deals, welfare to work schemes

3 areas of social security policy match up with devolution - some discretion over the partially contested areas

Uncontested (eg flat-rate pensions, hospital treatment) partially contested (eg personal care, prescription drugs) contested (eg housing provision, earnings- related pensions)

Work and welfare: training and skills policy devolved, benefits policy and employment tests reserved

Policy driven by New Deal, and run through a shared administrative space in which officials collaborate and devolved/reserved functions are blurred

2007 Scottish Elections seats% vote SNP4731 Labour4629 Conservative1714 Liberal 1611 Democrat Green 2 4 Independent 1 (total129 seats)

SNP policies (Alex Salmond First Minister) Single minister for finance and economics (John Swinney Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth) Local income tax referendum on independence separate civil service

SNP on welfare to work business friendly rationalisation of structures (enterprise network and local government) economic needs, skills training and education to be aligned better

Holyrood Parliament Building constructed architect Enric Miralles (died 2000) cost £420m (Euro 630m)