What has been the impact of the EU on UK central government? This book explores the Europeanisation of the work of civil servants and ministers and how they engage with the EU. Drawing on fresh empirical evidence, the volume offers the first comprehensive analysis of the spreading impact of European integration across government. The study is placed in the context of political divisions over the EU but outlines the often neglected way in which the EU has transformed the business of government. It charts the process from the Macmillan governments 1961 application to join the European Communities through to the end of Blairs premiership. The book examines the character and timing of responses across government, covering the core government departments and also those more recently affected, such as the Ministry of Defence. The authors argue that central government has organized itself efficiently to deal with the demands of EU membership despite the often controversial party political divisions over Europe. However, in placing their findings in comparative context they conclude that the effectiveness of UK governments in the EU has been less striking.

Simon Bulmer is Professor of European Politics at the University of Sheffield. Martin Burch is Professor of Government at the University of Manchester

List of boxesList of figuresList of tablesPrefaceList of abbreviations1. Setting the scene2. The Europeanisation of UK central government: analytical challenges3. The EU framework for UK policy-making4. Approaching Europe: Europeanisation and accession5. The management of EU business in Whitehall: the hub6. The European Union and inner core departments7. The European Union and the outer core8. Understanding the impact of Europe9. Whitehall in comparative context10. ConclusionReferencesIndex