@Lassielmr @adamgreenfield The observed effect is not limited to or defined by administrative systems, it is cultural and exists at a wider more basic level than the failings of bureaucracy which it contributes to. So the partially separate bureaucratic systems in the smaller nations of the UK is only marginally relevant. The effect is culturally in the people. It is also, as I said, unevenly distributed.

I do agree that it seems to be at source an English phenomenon, and Scotland seems somewhat better, but I have not lived in Scotland and may be basing this on the selected sample of Scots I know and the visits to selected areas.

Nevertheless I think it likely that the sheer hegemony of english cultural dominance likely means that the effect is observable in Scotland too. Much as american failings now appear throughout european societies.

I almost said england rather than UK, but felt that the phenomenon I was describing was somewhat vague and emergent and defining it's exact boundaries didn't seem so important.

I have insufficient experience to comment meaningfully on Wales or NI, but my impression is that they are more strongly within the English cultural influence than Scotland is.