In theory, there should be no actual overlaps or shared functions between the devolved administrations and the UK government. In practice, however, it is not always easy to draw a neat distinction between reserved and devolved functions. Even if there is a clear distinction in constitutional responsibilities, interfaces exist between services that closely relate to each other, but are the responsibility of the different administrations, and this generates a need for coordination and collaboration. As devolution has progressed, interfaces and overlaps in social policy areas have become more of a feature of its operation and have had to be addressed. A number of different dimensions to overlapping function and interface engagement can be identified. These can be categorised as: interfaces and overlaps which require a need for coordination and cooperation; overlaps which produce entanglements; conflict over powers; cross-border activities; and structures for cooperation.

Interfaces and overlaps: the need for coordination and cooperation

The main social policy areas which require close coordination and cooperation particularly in the delivery of services are benefits and anti-poverty measures, welfare to work, social inclusion and aspects of health.

Benefits and tackling poverty

Social security is largely a uniform UK service but often interfaces directly with what are devolved services, particularly in the area of poverty, child poverty, social inclusion, New Deal, welfare to work and employment, area regeneration and fuel poverty (see Table 7.1).

Anti-poverty strategies are basically an overlap area of responsibility between devolved governments and the UK Government. The Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster has a particular interest in reserved powers operating in Scotland, and has been active in emphasising the need for the UK Government to cooperate with the Scottish Government to ensure that national policies in tackling poverty are delivered effectively and are joined up with devolved programmes. The Scottish Affairs Committee has argued that the Scottish Government needs to ensure that its own programmes dovetail with national provision, and that key responsibilities should operate within the Scottish context of tackling poverty (Scottish Affairs Committee, 2008a). The Scotland Office has stated the task of ensuring that the reserved policies that help tackle poverty reflect the Scottish context during both their formulation and implementation.