Key Terms

Legislation

This is a law or set of laws suggested by a government and made official by a parliament. In Scotland many of the laws are decided by the Scottish Parliament (e.g. about Education), while some are decided by the Westminster Parliament (e.g. about asylum-seekers and immigration). These latter are called ‘reserved’ matters i.e. Westminster reserves (does not delegate) the right to legislate on them.

Lobbying

Influencing legislators or other public officials to take action for a specific cause, such as fairer international trade, or more money for hospitals.