Proceedings of the Seminar on the Devolution Proposals.

The Government has announced a 'devolution revolution', transferring powers and opportunities to local government through a series of 'devolution deals'. The Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill gives statutory authority to deals and enables some of the specific reforms the Government wishes to make, such as introducing directly-elected mayors for combined authorities. This inquiry set out to examine the contents of the Bill and, in particular, whether Greater Manchester's deal is a model for other areas, but its scope quickly widened to a review of the way in which devolution in England is proceeding. The Committee has identified various aspects of the current approach that it recommends are refined and improved. The Committee has found a significant lack of public consultation and engagement at all stages in the devolution process. The public should be engaged in the preparation of devolution proposals, insofar as possible during the negotiations and once the results of a deal have begun to make an impact, and communicated to throughout the process. This is particularly the case for health devolution where the systems in place are complex, changes are consequently more difficult to understand and the public's response is likely to be more emotional. The Committee also believes that the Government's approach to devolution in practice has lacked rigour as to process: there are no clear, measurable objectives for devolution; It suggests various ways in which proper process can be ensured.

The only up-to-date introduction to the politics of devolution in the UKNew for this edition:* Revised and updated throughout * New case studies and tables * New sections on topics including English regionalism, the London Mayor, the Calman Commission, Labour and the Welsh Assembly, and Ian PaisleyThe political landscape of the UK was altered dramatically with the devolution of power to London, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This introduction to the major changes caused by devolution looks at both the historical background and contemporary political events. It assesses the operation, strengths and weaknesses of the devolved state, and uses relevant case studies to illustrate the more complex ideas.

Since its first edition in 1985, The Changing Constitution has cemented its reputation for providing concise, scholarly and thought-provoking essays on the key issues surrounding the UK's constitutional development, and the current debates around reform. The sixth edition of a highly successful volume provides a thorough review of the latest developments in constitutional reform. It includes a new chapter on 'Constitutional Watchdogs' and expanded consideration of freedom of information and the control of public expenditure. Professors Jowell and Oliver have brought together nineteen expert contributors to offer an invaluable source of material and analysis for all students of public law.

Governing England examines the state of England's governance, identity and relationship with the other nations of the UK. It brings together academic experts on constitutional change, territorial politics, nationalism, political parties, public opinion, and local government both to explain thecurrent place of England within a changing United Kingdom, and to consider how the "English constitution" is likely to develop over the coming years.At a time when questions of territory and identity have grown increasingly politicised, Governing England offers a deeper academic analysis of how England and Englishness are changing. The central questions it addresses are whether, why, and with what consequences there has been a disentangling ofEngland from Britain within the institutions of the UK state, and of Englishness from Britishness at the level of culture and national identity.This volume includes competing interpretations of what has changed in terms of English nationhood.

Devolution : A decade on, fifth report of session 2008-09, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

The Smith Commission's recommendations for the further devolution of powers to Scotland would significantly change Scotland's devolution settlement, adding greater complexity to the relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments. This report considers the Government's proposals for implementing the Smith Commission's recommendations, set out in the Command Paper "Scotland in the United Kingdom: An enduring settlement". The Committee considers the process by which these proposals were produced, and then examines their implications for the constitution of the UK as a whole. The Smith Commission was given only two months to produce its recommendations, and took less than four weeks to produce its proposals once the closing date for public submissions was reached on 31 October 2014. This is not to criticise Lord Smith of Kelvin, nor the members of the Smith Commission, who worked effectively to a tight timetable. Its recommendations are, however, necessarily the result of a short process, with minimal time for consultation and for engagement with the UK and Scottish parliaments. Yet the leaders of the three main UK-wide political parties agreed to implement the recommendations of the Smith Commission in advance of its first meeting. The Committee are deeply concerned that this agreement has pre-empted any possibility of meaningful consultation and discussion on the merits of the proposals with either the Scottish or UK Parliament, or indeed with citizens and civil society both in Scotland and across the UK. In particular, it restricts the capacity of the UK Parliament to contribute to the development of these proposals. Nor does the Smith Commission process meet the standards expected for the production of proposals for significant constitutional change.