What the Scotland Office Does
The Scotland Office supports the Secretary of State for Scotland in promoting the devolution settlement and acting as guardian of it. He promotes partnership between the Government and the Scottish Executive and between the two Parliaments. At the same time, the Secretary of State continues to represent Scottish interests in reserved matters within the UK Government, advising colleagues about any distinctive Scottish aspects that arise for reasons other than the impact on devolved matters and supporting them in presenting Government policies in Scotland.
Reserved matters include:
- UK Single market
- Energy regulation, UK and international transport
- Immigration and nationality
- Social security
- Taxation and economic management
- Foreign Affairs (including European Union negotiations)
- Defence
- National Security
- The Constitution