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Pathways to Substate Variation in the UK's Employment Relations: The Case of the Welsh Government

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Listed:
  • Leon Gooberman
  • Marco Hauptmeier

Abstract

The UK is often viewed as a centralised entity that has pursued neoliberal policies. Yet its political system features devolved parliaments whose governments deploy responsibilities including those linked to employment relations. This article explores the Welsh Government's role within employment relations to argue that it has shaped pathways to substate variation by (1) defining the procedural status of other actors through creating social partnership structures (2) deploying its role as employer, funder, and procurer to influence employer behaviour, and (3) making some statutory regulation. We conclude that the Welsh Government is part of an increasingly fragmented regulatory state within the UK that offers some opportunities for subnational actors to create divergences within its national system of employment relations.

Suggested Citation

  • Leon Gooberman & Marco Hauptmeier, 2025. "Pathways to Substate Variation in the UK's Employment Relations: The Case of the Welsh Government," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(5), pages 411-418, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:56:y:2025:i:5:p:411-418
    DOI: 10.1111/irj.70003
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Leon Gooberman & Marco Hauptmeier, 2023. "Union Coalitions and Strategic Framing: The Case of the Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 37(5), pages 1226-1243, October.
    2. Huw Beynon & Rhys Davies & Steve Davies, 2012. "Sources of variation in trade union membership across the UK: the case of Wales," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(3), pages 200-221, May.
    3. Phil Almond & Maria C. Gonzalez & Jonathan Lavelle & Gregor Murray, 2017. "The local in the global: regions, employment systems and multinationals," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(2), pages 115-132, March.
    4. Edmund Heery & Deborah Hann & David Nash, 2020. "Political devolution and employment relations in Great Britain: the case of the Living Wage," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(5), pages 391-409, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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