Regions of England
As a region, the largest regional field unit is called sub-national level in England. The nine English regions are used for statistical purposes and form constituencies in the election for the European Parliament. With the exception of Greater London since 2012 they have no administrative functions.
History
Since the 1990s, the policy of the United Kingdom attempted to strengthen the power of local governments at regional level. This technique, known as devolution program led to elected assemblies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In April 1994, the British government set up under John Major in England ten Government Office Regions, which each had a Government Office. The 1997 came into office Labour government also set up in the regions outside of London Regional Development Agencies and Regional Chambers. In Greater London for this purpose a plebiscite was held in 1998, as the result of which in 2000 the London Assembly, the Greater London Authority and the Office of Mayor of London were established.
In North East England, the setting up of a directly elected regional assembly was rejected in a referendum held on 4 November 2004. Then was waived votes in other regions.
In June 2010, the government of Conservatives and Liberals announced the abolition of all region functions. Then 2011, the Government Offices and Regional Development Agencies abolished on 31 March 2012. Greater London remained unaffected by these measures.