English MPs should be given greater power to decide on laws affecting only England, according to a new report on devolution.
The McKay Commission was appointed by the Government to consider the impact of devolution on law-making. In its new report it concluded that decisions taken by the Commons, which have a distinct impact on England, should only be with the consent of English MPs.
It also found there is a growing resentment in England who feel the country is at a ‘disadvantage' compared to devolved countries such as Scotland.
Sir William McKay, chairman of The McKay Commission, said: ‘The more law-making in the UK has moved away from Westminster and towards the devolved legislatures, the more Westminster law-making has inevitably come to focus on England (or England-and-Wales). But the processes for making law at Westminster have not significantly changed.
‘Surveys have shown that people in England are unhappy about the existing arrangements, and support change. There is a feeling that England is at a disadvantage, and that it's not right that MPs representing the devolved nations should be able to vote on matters affecting England.'
The Local Government Association (LGA) has responded to the findings, claiming the report fails to address the ‘real unfairness' of devolution, which is how resources are divided between the devolved authorities. It also said it was ‘disappointed' that further devolution of local government has been rejected.
Chairman of the LGA, Sir Merrick Cockell, said: ‘Under the current system money is allocated for everything from health and education to investing in infrastructure based on a fixed formula that often fails to take account of differing local needs. Reforming the way funding is shared would remove the existing structural unfairness which has led to cuts disproportionately hitting services in England.
'Giving more power to councils over funding and responsibility for matters such as health, education and driving economic growth is essential if we are to ensure that communities across England are given the same opportunities as those in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.'
