British Academy: The UK's National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Local devolution of public services:
a break with the past or return to the past?

Tuesday, 27 November 2007
7 pm to 8.45pm, followed by a drinks reception
to be held a the British Academy, 10 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1

A British Academy discussion evening in association with History & Policy
Chaired and convened by Professor Pat Thane, FBA, Centre for Contemporary British History,
Institute of Historical Research

Speakers: Baroness Kay Andrews, OBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Baroness Hollis of Heigham, historian and former government Minister, David Walker, Editor, Guardian Public magazine, and Jerry White, Local Government Ombudsman & Historian

There is now a consensus that there should be some form of devolution from central to local government and local service providers. Recent government announcements suggest the relationship between Whitehall and the localities is set to change radically, with a reversal of the central uniformity entrenched over the past 60 years and target-culture of the past 10, and a return to local diversity in service provision and outcomes.

The government plans to reduce the number of centrally imposed targets and priorities and Ministers seem willing to accept some local diversity in public service provision as a result. This has echoes of Britain pre-1948, where local government had control over the funding and delivery of most public services, but public and political dissatisfaction with the resulting 'postcode lottery' became one of the major drivers for the formation of the welfare state. Ever since, central government has tightened its control over local government finances and services and the public has come to expect it will guarantee equality of provision and outcomes across the country.

History can provide a valuable perspective on the risks and benefits of a move away from this model, informing discussion on some of the key questions raised about local democracy and public service provision.

This discussion evening is the follow-up to a successful workshop: What's wrong with English local democracy? Can looking back help to move it forward? held at the British Academy on 9 July. The historical context of current moves to loosen the grip of Whitehall over local government and services was identified as one of the key issues for follow-up discussion.

The event will take the form of a panel discussion between Professor Pat Thane FBA, John Healey MP, Baroness Hollis of Heigham and David Walker.

Please note our registration and seating policy:

• Please register using the online booking form
• No tickets will be issued for this event
• The first 100 audience members arriving at the Academy will be offered a seat in our Lecture Room where this event will take place. The next 50 people to arrive will be offered a seat in our Overflow Room which has a video and audio link to the Lecture Room.