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Difficulty: Very hardThe 21st Century and Recent Events

The 21st century has seen significant developments in the devolution of powers to the nations within the United Kingdom. In March 2011, a referendum was held in Wales concerning the law-making powers of its regional assembly. What was the primary outcome of this referendum?

  1. The National Assembly for Wales gained the power to pass laws in all 20 devolved areas without needing the UK Parliament's agreement.Answer
  2. B
    The National Assembly was granted the power to vary the basic rate of income tax by up to 3 pence in the pound.
  3. C
    The National Assembly was officially renamed the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) and its membership was increased to 96 members.
  4. D
    The National Assembly was given control over reserved matters including defense, foreign policy, and immigration.

Answer

The National Assembly for Wales gained the power to pass laws in all 20 devolved areas without needing the UK Parliament's agreement.
The 2011 referendum in Wales resulted in a 'Yes' vote, which fundamentally changed how the National Assembly for Wales (now the Senedd) operates. It allowed the Assembly to pass its own laws (Acts of the Assembly) in the 20 areas for which it has responsibility, such as health and education, without needing to ask the UK Parliament for permission for each individual law.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the specific event and year mentioned in the question.
The event is the 2011 Welsh referendum on law-making powers.
Establishing the correct historical context is the first step in recall.
2
Recall the transition in legislative powers that occurred after the 'Yes' vote.
Wales transitioned from requiring Legislative Competence Orders to having direct law-making authority in its 20 devolved areas.
This specific shift is the core factual point taught in the Life in the UK curriculum regarding 21st-century devolution.

Key Concept

21st-century devolution developments in Wales
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

The 21st Century and Recent Events

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