1st Edition
Reforming UK Public Policy Through Elected Regional Government
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.