Reinvigorating Devolution: Enhancing Central-Local Relations in Scotland

Vampa, D, Anderson, P ORCID: 0000-0002-8156-5542, Giovannini, A and Kippin, S (2025) Reinvigorating Devolution: Enhancing Central-Local Relations in Scotland. Documentation. Centre on Constitutional Change.

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Abstract

This report examines how devolution has reshaped territorial governance in Scotland while leaving deeper questions of central–local balance unresolved. It highlights three interrelated dynamics. First, economic and demographic activity has become increasingly concentrated in Edinburgh and the East-Central Belt since 1999, widening gaps with other parts of Scotland. Second, political power has also centralised at Holyrood, with local authorities constrained financially and institutionally, limiting their role as meaningful counterweights. Third, public opinion reflects these imbalances, with many Scots in rural and peripheral areas perceiving devolution as having disproportionately benefited central and affluent regions.

Item Type:	Monograph (Documentation)
Additional Information:	This publication has been shared with permission from Centre on Constitutional Change
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) J Political Science > JA Political science (General) J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) > JN1187 Scotland
Divisions:	Humanities and Social Science
Publisher:	Centre on Constitutional Change
Related URLs:	https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/blog
Date of acceptance:	24 October 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	27 October 2025
Date Deposited:	27 Oct 2025 10:24
Last Modified:	27 Oct 2025 10:24
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27417

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