Which statement correctly contrasts devolution with federalism?

• A. Devolution transfers powers within a unitary state to subnational bodies.
• B. Federalism constitutionally divides powers between central and regional governments.
• C. The UK is federal by design.
• D. Devolution creates a system where regions have independent sovereignty equal to the central government.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how power is arranged between the centre and subnational bodies. Devolution happens in a unitary state when the central government transfers some powers to subnational bodies, like Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, but the central government still retains ultimate sovereignty. Those devolved powers can be changed or withdrawn by the central parliament, and the subnational bodies don’t have independent sovereignty equal to the centre.

That’s why the statement describing devolution as transferring powers within a unitary state to subnational bodies is the best fit. It reflects that devolution operates inside a unitary framework, unlike federal systems where powers are constitutionally divided and both levels have defined sovereignty within their own spheres. The other descriptions describe federalism, or claim the UK is federal by design, or claim devolved regions have sovereign equality with the centre, which isn’t the case.