Quote:
Originally Posted by pip08456
Power to decide their own covid response was given to them after the initial lockdown.
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It's slightly complicated as at outset there was broad agreement, but how the lockdown was implemented and legislated for ended up in public health regulations, which relate to devolved powers.
How things like the furlough scheme are implemented are reserved, so for all 4 nations what is viable to do is to some extent determined by the purse strings in London.
I think technically had lockdown restrictions been implemented by the Civil Contingencies Act it could have left more decision making in London.
Other things like foreign travel are reserved, but who should quarantine is in health legislation therefore is devolved which creates a quirk. So the Scottish Government can't formally advise against international travel - although their First Minister is on record discouraging international travel - but not the power to legislate for it but can legislate for quarantine upon return.
This is distinct from Foreign Office
advice against international travel (to some countries, or indeed all countries). In March 2020 when Dominic Raab announced this it has some legal standing, and immediately invalidated many travel insurance policies for trips after and made it clear to British nationals that they may not get the level of consular assistance overseas if required.