We argue that further devolution of powers to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will not only radically reshape the British state, but will offer all four governments a unique chance to work together for meaningful reform.
The report makes a number of recommendations about how this ‘policy laboratory’ could be better capitalised upon. These include:
- Increased interchange of staff between the four governments
- The development of more consistent measurements of policy performance across the UK
- A greater willingness to share data and evidence - including negative results
- Greater involvement of devolved governments in developing UK strategic research priorities
- The creation of a new What Works Centre for Northern Ireland
- More networks of officials from the four governments that work on similar issues
- Public recognition of good practice by the civil service leadership