Editing Politics of the United Kingdom (section)

==Devolved national governments==
{{Main|Devolution in the United Kingdom}}

===Scottish Government===
{{Main|Scottish Government}}
[[File:New Scottish Cabinet meet at Bute House (53711442674).jpg|thumb|right|The [[Swinney government|incumbent Scottish Government]] under first minister [[John Swinney]] meets for a meeting of the [[Scottish cabinet|cabinet]] at [[Bute House]]]]

The Scottish Government is responsible for all issues that are not explicitly [[Devolved, reserved and excepted matters|reserved]] to the United Kingdom Parliament at [[Palace of Westminster|Westminster]], by the [[Scotland Act 1998|Scotland Act]]; including [[NHS Scotland]], [[Education in Scotland|education]], [[Scots law|justice]], rural affairs, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, some aspects of the [[benefits system]], elections to the Scottish Parliament and local government, some aspects of the [[Energy in Scotland|energy network]], the environment, the [[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service]], some aspects of equality legislation, housing, planning, [[Sport in Scotland|sport]], [[Culture of Scotland|culture]], [[Tourism in Scotland|tourism]], [[Crown Estate Scotland|the Crown Estate]], [[Oil industry in Scotland|onshore oil and gas licensing]], some aspects of [[Income tax in Scotland|taxation]] including [[Council Tax|Scottish council tax]] and [[Transport in Scotland|transport]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Devolved and Reserved Powers |url=https://www.parliament.scot/about/how-parliament-works/devolved-and-reserved-powers |website=www.parliament.scot |access-date=16 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref> 

In the 2024–25 financial year, its annual budget was almost £60 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 December 2023 |title=Scottish Budget 2024 to 2025: Your Scotland, Your Finances – a guide |url=http://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-budget-guide/ |access-date=23 December 2023 |website=Scottish Government |language=en}}</ref> The government is led by the [[First Minister of Scotland|first minister]], assisted by the [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|deputy first minister]] alongside various Ministers with individual [[Ministry (government department)|portfolio]]s and remits. The [[Scottish Parliament]] nominates a Member to be appointed as First Minister by the [[Charles III|King]]. The first minister then appoints their Ministers (known as Cabinet Secretaries) and junior Ministers, subject to approval by the Parliament. The first minister, the Ministers (but not [[junior ministers]]), the [[Lord Advocate]] and [[Solicitor General for Scotland|Solicitor General]] are the Members of the Scottish Government and attend meetings of the [[Scottish cabinet]], as set out in the [[Scotland Act 1998]]. They are collectively known as "the Scottish Ministers".

The Scottish Government has been described as "one of the world's most powerful devolved administrations".<ref>{{cite web |title=5 reasons why Scotland is more powerful as part of the United Kingdom |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/5-reasons-why-scotland-is-more-powerful-as-part-of-the-united-kingdom |website=GOV.UK |access-date=1 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

===Welsh Government===
{{Main|Welsh Government}}
The Welsh Government and [[Senedd]] have more limited powers than those devolved to Scotland,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/events/wales_99/the_welsh_assembly/309033.stm|title=Structure and powers of the Assembly|publisher=BBC News|date=9 April 1992|access-date=21 October 2008}}</ref> although following the passing of the [[Government of Wales Act 2006]] and the [[2011 Welsh devolution referendum]], the Senedd can now legislate in some areas through an [[Act of Senedd Cymru]]. The current [[First Minister of Wales]], or ''Prif Weinidog Cymru'' in Welsh, is [[Eluned Morgan]] of [[Welsh Labour]].

===Northern Ireland Executive===
{{Main|Northern Ireland Executive}}

[[Northern Ireland Assembly|Assembly]] have powers closer to those already devolved to Scotland. The Northern Ireland Executive is led by a [[diarchy]], most recently [[First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland|First Minister]] [[Michelle O'Neill]] ([[Sinn Féin]]) and [[First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland|deputy First Minister]] [[Emma Little-Pengelly|Emma-Little Pengelly]] ([[Democratic Unionist Party|DUP]])