Devolution in the United Kingdom refers to the process of transferring powers from the central government to regional governments. This has allowed regions like Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to gain control over certain areas such as education, health, and transportation, while the UK Parliament retains authority over reserved matters like defense and foreign affairs. The devolution process began in the late 1990s, following referendums in each region. The establishment of the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, and Northern Ireland Assembly marked significant steps in promoting local governance and addressing the unique needs of each region within the UK.