Burnham visits Scotland during SNP conference week

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 09:02 · Archive

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is visiting Scotland on Friday, coinciding with the SNP's annual conference in Aberdeen.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is visiting Scotland on Friday during the SNP's annual conference in Aberdeen, which begins on Thursday. He is expected to use the visit to make a major intervention on devolution, calling for Holyrood to hand over more powers to local authorities.

The timing coincides with the Scottish Government's three-month consultation on restructuring local government. John Swinney has stated he views the current 32 local authorities as too many and wants to see larger regional councils created instead. Under the proposals, the current structure would be replaced with between six and ten regional authorities with powers over planning, education and economic development, alongside between 120 and 160 more local 'community' authorities handling local planning, licensing and heritage matters.

Swinney is scheduled to address SNP members with a keynote speech on Saturday afternoon. The SNP has previously suggested that Burnham's focus on Scottish independence represents a shift in his time as Prime Minister. Burnham has emphasised his commitment to the Union, referencing comments Swinney made about potentially being the last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Burnham visits Scotland during SNP conference week — Image: BBC Scotland

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How it is being reported

Burnham to visit Scotland during SNP conferenceThe prime minister is expected to head to the central belt while SNP members gather in Aberdeen.BBC Scotland · 13 Oct, 10:14
Andy Burnham to visit Scotland during middle of SNP conferenceAndy Burnham is set to visit Scotland in the middle of the SNP's party conference this week, according to reportsThe National · 13 Oct, 08:11
Andy Burnham to visit Scotland hours before John Swinney makes SNP conference speechThe Prime Minister is expected to use a speech to call for Holyrood to hand more powers to local authorities.Daily Record · 13 Oct, 07:28

In this story: Andy Burnham · John Swinney · SNP · Scotland · Holyrood · Aberdeen

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