Devolution turns to drink

This story may appear elsewhere on the tutor2u website, but the politics of it are what we are concerned with here. I have written previously about how Scotland has poughed a tartan furrow in a number of social and welfare policy areas (tuition fees, care for the elderly, etc) and this week the Scottish government laid out radical plans to tackle alcohol abuse.

Readers of this site will be well aware that heavy drinking is directly linked to a host of social and health problems, and the widespread availability of cheap booze only serves to exacerbate these. Readers may also be aware that Scotland has a longstanding reputation as a nation of heavy drinkers and falling prices in real terms has strengthened the Scots’ association with the demon drink. Part of the new scheme announced this week include a new minimum price per unit policy, which will be the first of its kind in Europe.

This is, therefore, a prime example of devolution in action. Bringing government closer to the people is supposed to result in the design of policy that best fits the needs of those living in that area. It also allows the new sub-national structures to act as policy labs and experiment with new ideas - so if they are successful other areas can follow their lead.

Devolution is a process, not an event.