A think-tank report said that a centralized state in England might no longer be fit for purpose in three respects: economically; in the delivery and improvement of public services; and politically. The report called for a phased programme of decentralization over ten years, built on cross-party support, with economic development and public service delivery passed to combined authorities, local authorities, and other public bodies as they were ready to assume them, and with fiscal devolution.

Source: Ed Cox, Graeme Henderson, and Luke Raikes, Decentralisation Decade: A plan for economic prosperity, public service transformation and democratic renewal in England, Institute for Public Policy Research North

Links: Report | Summary | DCLG press release | Nick Clegg speech | BBC report

Date: 2014-Sep

An article identified two dominant interpretations of centre-local relations under the Labour governments (1997 2010), which it characterized as 'state-centric dirigisme' and 'disciplined pluralism'.

Source: Steven Griggs and Helen Sullivan, 'Puzzling agency in centre-local relations: regulatory governance and accounts of change under New Labour', British Journal of Politics and International Relations, Volume 16 Issue 3

Links: Abstract

Date: 2014-Aug

The House of Lords Reform Act 2014 was given Royal assent. The Act provided for the resignation of peers from the House of Lords, and the expulsion of Members in specified circumstances, such as non-attendance or conviction of a serious offence.

Source: House of Lords Reform Act 2014, TSO

Links: Act | Explanatory notes

Date: 2014-May