1st Edition

Reforming UK Public Policy Through Elected Regional Government

Edited By Malcolm J. Prowle Copyright 2023
    306 Pages 14 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    306 Pages 14 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This book takes an in-depth look at the enormous challenges facing UK public services and considers what might be done to resolve them. The authors are confident that more of the same over-centralised approaches to public policy and so-called "levelling-up" policies will just not work. Instead, they argue for an application of radical measures, involving the creation of elected regional governments in England similar to the devolved arrangements in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

    The book comprises four distinct parts: introduction and context; the need for major reform; policies for individual public services and cross-cutting themes. Following an introduction and discussion of the meaning of the terms public policy and public services, the first part goes on to discuss at length the substantial challenges to public policy and public services. The second part sets out the need for over-arching reforms, designed to address the issues discussed above, namely the development of elected regional governments. Each chapter in part three explores key themes concerning individual public policy areas and public services, while part four discusses a number of themes, which cut across all the public services already considered.

    Although the book is focused on and is of great relevance within the UK, it also has international appeal, as many of the themes discussed will have resonance in other countries and the analysis of public policy in regional administrations will also be of interest in other jurisdictions. It will appeal to students and academics in the fields of government and politics, economics, finance and accounting, public administration, public service management and social policy, as well as policymakers, practicing civil servants, public service managers and elected representatives.

    Part A Introduction and Context

    1 Introduction and Context

    Malcolm J. Prowle

    2 Ongoing and Future Challenges to UK Public Policy and Public Services

    Malcolm J. Prowle

    Part B The Need for Major UK Reform

    3 Towards Stronger UK Regionalism

    Roger Latham

    4 Implementing Elected Regional Government in the UK

    Roger Latham

    5 Future Financing of Public Services

    Roger Latham and Malcolm J. Prowle

    Part C Public Policies and Public Services Under a Regional Government Model

    6 Regional Economic Development

    Roger Latham

    7 Health and Healthcare

    Malcolm J. Prowle

    8 Social Care

    Tony Garthwaite

    9 Education

    Terry Mackie

    10 Housing

    Anna Birley

    11 Other Regional Public Services

    Peter Murphy, Nick Howe and Malcolm J. Prowle

    Part D Cross-Cutting Themes

    12 Resource Trends and Resource Planning in Regional Public Services

    Malcolm J. Prowle

    13 Coordination, Collaboration and Integration in Public Services

    Tony Garthwaite and Terry Mackie

    14 Community Development and the Role of the Third Sector in Public Service Delivery

    Graham Lister

    Biography

    Malcolm J. Prowle has extensive experience of policy, strategy and finance in many public services, gained through holding senior financial posts in several public service organisations, senior positions with two major international consulting firms (KPMG and PWC) and professorial posts in various UK universities.