How the Scottish Parliament Works

The Scottish Parliament was established in 1999 to debate issues and make laws for Scotland. It is made up of 129 elected representatives, who are known as Members of the Scottish Parliament or MSPs.

The MSP Building at the Scottish Parliament

What are the powers of the Scottish Parliament?

MSP figures with rosettes

What can MSPs do?

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Elections

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What is the role of the Scottish Government and its Ministers?

person in debating chamber

What happens in the Debating Chamber?

The Scottish Parliament building

What do committees do?

Illustration of figure banging gavel

How laws are passed

Illustration of figure in front of Holyrood and Westminister

Holyrood and Westminster - who does what?

yellow humanoid figure with signpost to Europe

Holyrood and Europe - who does what?

person surrounded by question marks

FAQs

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Have a question? Get in touch!

Fact Sheets

Fact Sheets are produced by information specialists with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).  They provide factual information about parliamentary business.

Fact Sheets

Related Content

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the Scottish Parliament.

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