Burnham offers Scottish Government partnership on regional devolution

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 23:32 · Archive

Prime Minister Andy Burnham will propose working with Scottish First Minister John Swinney to devolve more power to Scotland's regions and cities.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham will visit North Lanarkshire on Friday to propose a partnership with Scottish First Minister John Swinney on devolution. Burnham will argue that the Scottish Government is one of the most centralised devolved administrations in Europe and that Holyrood does not give enough of a say to people who know their areas best, despite significant devolution from Westminster over the last 27 years.

Burnham said: 'During my first week in office, I told the First Minister that I wanted to work with him to spread opportunities to communities across Scotland's regions and cities. Through No10 North, we are rewiring the state and I want to make sure regions in Scotland are fully part of this. This is me making an offer to the Scottish Government. With us working together, there is no limit to what we can achieve for the Scottish people.'

The Prime Minister plans to call on the Scottish Government to develop a new model of regional empowerment for Scotland, ensuring communities can seize economic opportunities and unlock their potential. The visit coincides with the SNP's annual party conference in Aberdeen. Burnham, the former Mayor of Manchester, has previously said he wants to devolve more power to local areas across the UK, whilst Swinney has called for a second Scottish independence referendum by 2031.

How it is being reported

• Burnham to urge Swinney to work with him on devolution during Scottish visitThe prime minister will speak on his first substantive trip to Scotland since moving into Downing Street.BBC Scotland · 15 Oct, 22:59
• Andy Burnham offers to work with John Swinney to push power out of Holyrood and WestminsterThe Prime Minister will use a speech in Lanarkshire to emphasise the Scottish Government is one of the most centralised devolved administrations in Europe.Daily Record · 15 Oct, 22:30

In this story: Andy Burnham · John Swinney · Scottish Government · Scotland · North Lanarkshire · Holyrood · Westminster

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