Working to make government more effective

Working to make government more effective

First minister of Scotland John Swinney in the Scottish Parliament.

Devolution to Scotland

We scrutinise devolution to Scotland and consider the implications of possible future constitutional change – including Scottish independence.

Scotland voted in 2014 to stay in the United Kingdom, but this referendum did not settle the Scottish constitutional debate. The Scottish National Party remains firmly committed to independence. Among unionists, there is debate over whether the Scottish parliament should take on further powers or just concentrate on improving the public services it already controls.

We aim to illuminate the polarised debate over Scotland’s future. We highlight the trade-offs facing Scotland, for instance in choosing between membership of the UK and EU. We analyse the legal and practical obstacles that would have to be overcome on the path to independence. And we consider how Scottish devolution works now – and how it could become more effective.

Recent analysis

Key explainers

Local and devolved elections 2026

On Thursday 7 May, voters across Scotland, Wales and England head to the polls in a major set of local and devolved elections.

Explore our work
(left to right) Scotland's First Minister John Swinney, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Wales' First Minister Eluned Morgan talk as they come out to pose for a family photograph during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit in Edinburgh.

Our latest reports

Scottish independence

When and how could a second referendum on Scottish independence take place?

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Scottish flag

Our events on devolution to Scotland

Interviews with former Scottish ministers

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