A think-tank report examined the 'profound implications' of devolution, and differentiated policy-making, for public services. England had increased its expenditure on health and education at a faster rate than the rest of the United Kingdom since devolution.
Source: John Adams and Katie Schmuecker (eds.), Devolution in Practice 2006: Public policy differences within the UK, Institute for Public Policy Research, available from Central Books (0845 458 9911)
Links: Summary | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Dec
The Scottish Executive published a Bill to establish an independent Commissioner to promote awareness, understanding of and respect for human rights in Scotland.
Source: Scottish Commissioner for Human Rights Bill, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Text of Bill (pdf) | Explanatory notes (pdf) | Policy memorandum (pdf) | SE press release
Date: 2005-Oct
A new book considered whether the people and politics of modern Scotland were shaped by a radical, tolerant and egalitarian national identity.
Source: Gregor Gall, The Political Economy of Scotland: Red Scotland? Radical Scotland?, University of Wales Press (029 2049 6899)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Oct
A literature review examined civic participation activity in public policy-making. Across many different contexts there was concern that, to date, civic participation appeared not to have made a significant impact on decision-making.
Source: Linda Nicholson, Civic Participation in Public Policy-Making: A literature review, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-Aug
A report said that people living in the most deprived areas of Scotland showed lower interest in political participation, and were less likely to take up opportunities for involvement.
Source: Stephen Hope and Susan King, Public Attitudes to Participation, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report (pdf) | SE press release
Date: 2005-Aug
A report said that the Scottish Executive needed to work harder to engage with all sectors of society, in particular members of the public and minority ethnic communities.
Source: Linda Nicholson, Civic Participation Activity in the Scottish Executive: Results of two mapping exercises, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report (pdf) | SE press release
Date: 2005-Aug
A new book explored the future of devolution, by examining how it had altered politics in the parts of the United Kingdom that experienced it, and also in the UK as a whole.
Source: Alan Trench (ed.), The Dynamics of Devolution: The state of the nations 2005, Constitution Unit/University of London, available from Imprint Academic (01392 841600)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Jul
A new book described and analyzed social policy in Scotland since devolution in 1999.
Source: Gerry Mooney and Gill Scott (eds.), Exploring Social Policy in the 'New' Scotland, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Jul
The Scotland Office published its annual report for 2004-05.
Source: Annual Report 2005, Cm 6544, Scotland Office and Office of the Advocate General for Scotland, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-Jun
An article examined the effect of devolution on local government in Scotland. It said that Scottish central?local relations continued to be characterized by a sense of mistrust of local government, especially among civil servants and a continuing desire for central control of key policy agendas.
Source: Mark McAteer and Michael Bennett, 'Devolution and local government: evidence from Scotland', Local Government Studies, Volume 31 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2005-Jun
A new book provided the first systematic study of law-making by the three devolved United Kingdom legislatures.
Source: Robert Hazell and Richard Rawlings (eds.), Devolution, Law Making and the Constitution, Imprint Academic (01392 841600)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-May
A research report said that 'significantly different' approaches to key public policy issues had emerged in Scotland and Wales since devolution, as the new administrations had rejected consumer choice and diversity in favour of professionalism and uniformity.
Source: Michael Keating, Linda Stevenson and John Loughlin, Devolution and Public Policy: Divergence or Convergence?, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: ESRC press release
Date: 2005-Mar
A report said that England was largely 'invisible' to Whitehall civil servants, despite the big changes that had been brought about by devolution. But its concerns might become more important if parts of England became more vociferous in their demand for changes to the central funding formula for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Source: James Mitchell with Robert Hazell, Roger Masterman and John Rhodes, Devolution and the Centre, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: ESRC press release
Date: 2005-Feb
