The Impact of COVID-19 on Devolution: Recentralising the British State Beyond Brexit?

Description

The COVID-19 pandemic is the first time that many of the UK population, including its national politicians, have become aware of the practical dimensions of devolution to its four nations through the delivery of support to those affected by the virus. Part of the COVID Collection, this topical book explores how the public perception of the decentralised governments has changed during the pandemic and uses case studies to discuss the actions taken by central government to undermine the devolution settlement. Assessing the role of local government in supporting communities despite cuts from central government, it makes a vital contribution to the debate on the future options for the UK within the context of Brexit and what follows.

Dr Janice Morphet is a Visiting Professor at the Bartlett School of Planning. A Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute, she has been chief executive of a local authority, head of University school of planning and landscape, a senior adviser on local government in central government and a consultant. Janice has been a trustee of the RTPI and TCPA and was a member of the planning committee for the London 2012 Olympic Games. A frequent speaker, she has written several books and papers on planning, governance and infrastructure.

"This timely and original book captures the COVID-19 zeitgeist and Brexit debates and in doing so, tells us something about the governance of modern Britain at a time of change and crisis." Charlotte Burns, University of Sheffield. "The Conservatives are demolishing devolution and recentralising power, using COVID-19 as a pretext. Here's the evidence for Boris Johnson's new order, meticulously marshalled and compellingly presented." David Walker, former editor, Guardian Public "An up-to-date account of how the response to the crisis is playing out and what this tells us about the changing the nature of the UK state in a post-EU context." Tony Heron, University of York "I suspect we will be debating the impact of COVID-19 on the devolution settlement for years to come: Janice Morphet has provided an essential early survey of the issues." Leighton Andrews, Cardiff Business School.