The European Union Bill was given a second reading. The Bill was designed to strengthen United Kingdom procedures for agreeing to, or ratifying, certain European Union decisions and treaty changes. It provided for a UK referendum on any proposed EU treaty or treaty change that would transfer powers from the UK to the EU.
Source: European Union Bill, Foreign and Commonwealth Office/TSO | Debate 7 December 2010, columns 191-277, House of Commons Hansard/TSO
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard | HOC research brief
Date: 2010-Dec
The government announced a series of new principles that it would use when introducing European measures into United Kingdom law, designed to end 'gold-plating'. The text of European directives would in future be copied directly into UK law without further interpretation. Early transposition of European regulations would be avoided except where there were compelling reasons for earlier implementation. A statutory duty would be placed on Ministers to conduct a review of domestic legislation implementing a European directive every five years.
Source: Written Ministerial Statement 15 December 2010, column 99WS, House of Commons Hansard/TSO
Links: Hansard | Guiding principles | TUC press release
Date: 2010-Dec
A briefing paper examined likely political trends and priorities in the European Union in 2011 and 2012. The financial and economic crisis had the potential to undermine multi-level European governance arrangements by amplifying contradictions and divergences between national and European institutions, interest groups, and concerns. The crisis was already jeopardizing social cohesion within the member states.
Source: Rosa Balfour, Janis Emmanouilidis and Fabian Zuleeg, Political Trends and Priorities 2011-2012, European Policy Centre
Links: Paper
Date: 2010-Dec
A new book (in four volumes) examined the 'public sphere' – the space where citizens came together to deliberate on issues of common concern and to 'critique' and influence the government.
Source: Jostein Gripsrud, Hallvard Moe, Anders Molander and Graham Murdock (eds.), The Public Sphere, SAGE Publications
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Dec
A report by a committee of MPs examined the legal relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, and whether a statutory provision was necessary (as proposed in the European Union Bill) in order to shield the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty from EU law. It said that the evidence received suggested that the legislative supremacy of Parliament was not under threat from EU law.
Source: The EU Bill and Parliamentary Sovereignty, Tenth Report (Session 2010-11), HC 633, House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee/TSO
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Dec
A paper examined the available literature on the social 'open method of co-ordination' (OMC) in the European Union between 2006 and 2010. The linkage between knowledge of an issue and direct use of the OMC for policy change in social policy was 'weak'.
Source: Caroline de la Porte, State of the Art: Overview of concepts, indicators and methodologies used for analyzing the social OMC, REC-WP 15/2010, Reconciling Work and Welfare in Europe/Edinburgh University
Links: Paper
Notes: The open method of co-ordination (OMC) is an intergovernmental means of governance in the European Union, based on the voluntary co-operation of member states rather than the application of legislative measures.
Date: 2010-Dec
An article examined the effects of public opinion on social welfare policies in the United Kingdom and Israel. In both countries there appeared to be only a limited connexion between social solidarity with people in poverty and the political elite's rhetoric and action.
Source: Menachem Monnickendam and David Gordon, 'Poverty, government policy and public opinion in Britain and Israel: a comparative analysis', Social Policy and Administration, Volume 44 Number 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Oct
A paper examined various approaches to the question of how much United Kingdom law was based on or influenced by European Union law. Data suggested that, from 1997 to 2009, 6.8 per cent of primary legislation and 14.1 per cent of secondary legislation had a role in implementing European Union obligations – although the degree of involvement varied from passing reference to explicit implementation.
Source: Vaughne Miller, How Much Legislation Comes from Europe?, Research Paper 10/62, House of Commons Library
Links: HOC Library research paper
Date: 2010-Oct
A report examined how the Department for Work and Pensions used, managed, and prioritized externally commissioned social research.
Source: Iain Boa, Paul Johnson and Suzanne King, The Impact of Research on the Policy Process, Working Paper 82, Department for Work and Pensions
Links: Working paper | DWP press release
Date: 2010-Sep
An article examined the development of the Conservative Party's approach to poverty and social justice in the period since David Cameron's election as its leader in 2005. The path that Cameron had followed in these areas reflected his determination to move the Conservative Party towards the political 'centre'.
Source: Robert Page, 'David Cameron's Modern Conservative approach to poverty and social justice: towards one nation or two?', Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, Volume 18 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Jul
An audit report said that impact assessments (used to assess the need for, and the likely impact of, proposed government policy interventions) did not yet consistently provide a sound basis for assessing the relative merits of different policy proposals. Further improvement in the quality and use of impact assessments was needed in order to achieve value for money.
Source: Assessing the Impact of Proposed New Policies, HC 185 (Session 2010-11), National Audit Office/TSO
Links: Report | NAO press release
Date: 2010-Jul
An article examined the attitudes of peers (members of the House of Lords) to social policy issues, including a comparison with the views of Members of Parliament (House of Commons).
Source: Hugh Bochel and Andrew Defty, 'Power without representation? The House of Lords and social policy', Social Policy and Society, Volume 9 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Jul
An annual review included articles on a wide range of social policy issues, including: assessments of Labour's social policy after three terms in office; service-user involvement; and the labour market impact of the economic crisis.
Source: Ian Greener, Chris Holden and Majella Kilkey (eds.), Social Policy Review 22: Analysis and debate in social policy, 2010, Policy Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Jul
An audit report said that impact assessments – used to assess the need for, and the likely impact of, proposed government policy interventions – did not yet consistently provide a sound basis for assessing the merits of different policy proposals. Further improvement in the quality and use of impact assessments was needed in order to achieve value for money.
Source: Assessing the Impact of Proposed New Policies, HC 185 (Session 2010-11), National Audit Office/TSO
Links: Report | NAO press release | DBIS press release
Date: 2010-Jun
A new textbook examined selected theoretical perspectives and concepts in social policy.
Source: Ruth Lister, Understanding Theories and Concepts in Social Policy, Policy Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Jun
The new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government published an agreement setting out the practical and operational arrangements governing how the two parties would work together in coalition, including how policy would be commissioned and agreed.
Source: Coalition Agreement for Stability and Reform, Cabinet Office
Links: Agreement
Date: 2010-May
An article examined men in relation to social policy. There were numerous ways in which social policy was about men – in its formulation, implementation, delivery, and inclusions/exclusions.
Source: Jeff Hearn, 'Reflecting on men and social policy: contemporary critical debates and implications for social policy', Critical Social Policy, Volume 30 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-May
An article examined the role of ideas in public policy formation, focusing on the 2008 Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill. Although widely seen as a battle of ideas competing to be translated into policy action, the Bill's progression could not be sufficiently explained by reference to ideas or political power alone. Rather, both ideas and power relations needed to be taken into account when considering the causes of policy change.
Source: Steven Kettell and Paul Cairney, 'Taking the power of ideas seriously – the case of the United Kingdom's 2008 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill', Policy Studies, Volume 31 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-May
An article offered a different approach to policy time management. Instead of dealing with long-term versus short-term policy, it suggested juxtaposing 'tactical policy time' and 'strategic policy time'. Tactical policy time was defined as 'taking a specific time-related plan or action aimed at achieving a defined policy result'. Strategic policy time was defined as 'taking a specific time-related plan or action with the aim of coping better with uncertainty in the future'.
Source: Mira Moshe, 'It's about time: policy time', Policy Studies, Volume 31 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-May
An article examined initiatives developed by the government, research funders, and universities to promote better linkages between research and policy within Scotland.
Source: Tobias Jung, Sandra Nutley, Sarah Morton and Ann Millar, 'Linking research and policy in Scotland', Evidence & Policy, Volume 6 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-May
An article examined the role of 'policy networks' in the formulation of the social and educational policies of the New Labour governments.
Source: Stephen Ball and Sonia Exley, 'Making policy with "good ideas": policy networks and the 'intellectuals' of New Labour', Journal of Education Policy, Volume 25 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Apr
A report (by an official advisory body) said that – based on its early work – in nearly one-third of the cases examined departments were failing to assess the full impact of proposed regulation: for example, failing to quantify many of the costs and benefits, and not showing that the policy option selected would achieve its objective.
Source: <:Press release 29 March 2010, Regulatory Policy Committee
Links: RPC press release
Date: 2010-Mar
A report examined how the latest insights from the science of behaviour change could be used to generate new and cost-effective solutions to major policy challenges, such as reducing crime, tackling obesity, and climate change.
Source: Paul Dolan, Michael Hallsworth, David Halpern, Dominic King and Ivo Vlaev, MINDSPACE: Influencing behaviour through public policy, Cabinet Office/Institute for Government
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Mar
A new book said that questions about particular policy objectives tended to be framed in terms of their efficiency, profitability or cost – rather than whether they were good or fair: but the ability to ask questions about moral goodness and fairness was essential in order to tackle the problems facing modern societies.
Source: Tony Judt, Ill Fares the Land: A treatise on our present discontents, Penguin Allen Lane
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Mar
The government set out the principles that should govern its relationship with its independent scientific advisers. It said that the government should respect and value the academic freedom, professional status, and expertise of its independent scientific advisers. For their part, scientific advisers should respect the democratic mandate of the government to take decisions based on a wide range of factors, and recognize that science was only part of the evidence that the government needed to consider in developing policy. Neither side should act to undermine mutual trust.
Source: Press release 24 March 2010, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Links: DBIS press release | Times Higher Education report
Date: 2010-Mar
An article examined the potential challenges for a future Conservative government, focusing on the extent of possible support for the Conservatives' approach to social policy among three key groups – the public, MPs, and members of the House of Lords.
Source: Hugh Bochel and Andrew Defty, 'Safe as houses? Conservative social policy, public opinion and parliament', Political Quarterly, Volume 81 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Feb
A new book said that the financial crash of 2008-09 had exposed the disastrous consequences of applying economic theory to the collective life of societies. In seeking to manage social relationships through incentives for individual gain, market-like menus of choices, and business-style sets of interlocking contracts, the model adopted by the governments of the United Kingdom and United States of America had subverted the basis for social policy in mutuality and membership.
Source: Bill Jordan, What's Wrong with Social Policy and How to Fix it, Blackwell Publishing
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Feb
A new book examined a wide range of policy issues and future options for the United Kingdom. Policies covered in separate chapters included: child poverty, social mobility, the tax system, the gender dimension of income transfer policies, and healthcare.
Source: Varun Uberoi, Adam Coutts, David Halpern and Iain McLean (eds.), Options for Britain II: Cross cutting policy issues – Changes and challenges, Wiley
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Feb
An article examined research that tested a gender mainstreaming model for its ability to reveal intersectional inequalities. The model enabled the integration of equalities and human rights approaches, and supported prioritization without homogenizing strand-specific inequalities. Gaining satisfactory intersectional evidence would require improved quantitative data collection, the revaluing of qualitative data, and collaborative working between 'equality makers' and 'policy makers'.
Source: Alison Parken, 'A multi-strand approach to promoting equalities and human rights in policy making', Policy & Politics, Volume 38 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Feb
A think-tank report said that there were 'long-standing strategic gaps' at the heart of the machinery of central government: closing those gaps would be fundamental in ensuring proper co-ordination of government work on the difficult issues it would face over the following two years.
Source: Simon Parker, Akash Paun, Jonathan McClory and Kate Blatchford, Shaping Up: A Whitehall for the future, Institute for Government
Links: Report | IFG press release | BBC report | Local Government Chronicle report
Date: 2010-Jan
A report made a series of proposals for urgent reform in Parliament, in relations between Parliament and the executive, and in the executive's policy-making and delivery – which, taken together, were designed to improve the quality and effectiveness of government. Government policy should be based on evidence and analysis, and draw on relevant experience from the frontline. Departmental expertise in commissioning and using relevant research should be strengthened. Departments should use research not only in setting targets and assessing performance but also in identifying and anticipating longer-term trends. Systematic evaluation should be an established part of policy-making, and the tests and methods to be used in assessing the success of the policy should be decided at the same time as the policy itself and published.
Source: Good Government: Reforming Parliament and the Executive, Better Government Initiative
Links: Report | BBC report | Guardian report | Telegraph report (1) | Telegraph report (2)
Date: 2010-Jan
An article examined the use of research evidence in policy making, in the context of recent developments in drug classification policy.
Source: Mark Monaghan, 'The complexity of evidence: reflections on research utilisation in a heavily politicised policy area', Social Policy and Society, Volume 9 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Jan
A new book examined the implementation of a series of European Court of Justice rulings in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, and the impact of the rulings on social policy.
Source: Andreas Obermaier, The End of Territoriality? The impact of ECJ rulings on British, German and French social policy, Ashgate Publications
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Jan