Local Government and the Territorial Constitution: Social Justice and Local Finances in the UK

Local Government and the Territorial Constitution offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolving role of local authorities within the UK’s constitutional framework. It examines how decades of centralisation have given way to a renewed emphasis on devolution, driven by political aspirations for locally responsive services and financial imperatives to shift difficult choices from central to local tiers. The book argues that simply transferring powers is insufficient: citizens must understand the scope of devolved authority, the constraints shaping local decision-making, and the mechanisms available to hold councils accountable. Through four parts, the collection explores constitutional tensions, the exercise of devolved powers, accountability challenges, and the distinctive approaches of the devolved nations. By mapping interactions between service provision, funding, and accountability, it identifies recurring failures—such as inadequate expertise and weak oversight—and proposes incremental, long-term reforms to promote transparency, equity, and social justice in local governance.