Devolution, Integration and Modernisation in the United Kingdom Civil Service

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Abstract
The legislation creating the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales in 1999 specified that Scottish and Welsh officials would continue to be part of the Home Civil Service, and would not follow the model of the separate Northern Ireland Civil Service. This was justified by practical considerations about interchange of personnel and exchange of best practice, but also implies a celebration of the traditional narrative of the civil service in the British constitution. The practical effects of a unified service are felt most in the personnel management of senior officials, but they have also been extended by the UK Government’. policies on Modernising Government and civil service reform. The devolved administrations have embraced modernisation themes but, starting with Wales, there is some questioning of the way that civil service appointments are made. This is being expressed in the wider external advertising of posts which in time may lead to a horizontal leadership elite in the nations. The present position contains potential for conflict should a future devolved administration politically opposed to the UK Government start to push against the existing civil service statutes and rules.

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