Swinney tells Burnham devolution decisions rest with Scotland

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 18:20 · Archive

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney told Prime Minister Andy Burnham that decisions on further devolution rest solely with the Scottish Parliament.

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney met Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Glasgow on Friday at the UK Government's National Economic Council, with Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth also attending. The meeting focused on localised employment and reindustrialisation powers.

Swinney said the gathering was an opportunity to 'turn words into action' on devolution. He called on the UK Government to work with the Scottish Government to deliver devolution proposals that would help grow Scotland's economy. 'The Prime Minister has made devolution a central focus for his government, however, the UK Government must ensure that any devolution proposals respect devolution in Scotland,' Swinney said. 'That means working with the Scottish Government.'

Swinney and ap Iorwerth made clear that decisions on further devolution rest solely with their own parliaments, Holyrood and Senedd respectively, not Westminster. This came in response to Burnham's push to extend English-style regional powers across the UK. Before the summit, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting criticised the Scottish Government for not devolving powers further to local government, though Downing Street characterised the talks as constructive. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill did not attend after a political row between Sinn Féin and the DUP.

Swinney tells Burnham devolution decisions rest with Scotland — Image: Daily Mail

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How it is being reported

'It never came up': John Swinney admits he didn't raise Rosebank oil field in talks with Andy BurnhamJohn Swinney has been accused of failing to speak up for Scottish workers after pressing Andy Burnham on another independence referendum but failing to push for more North Sea oil drilling.Daily Mail · 30 Oct, 19:42
Local devolution decisions rest solely with Scotland and Wales, first ministers tell BurnhamJohn Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth say devolving power further is up to Holyrood and Senedd – not Westminster Scotland and Wales’s first ministers have told Andy Burnham that decisions on local devolution rest solely with their parliaments, in response to the prime minister’s push to extend English-style regional powers across the UK. After talks in Glasgow with John Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth about localised employment and reindustrialisation powers, Downing Street characterised the talks as constructive. Continue reading...The Guardian · 30 Oct, 17:53
PM’s Scotland meeting an opportunity to ‘turn words into action’ – SwinneyJohn Swinney said the UK Government should work with the Scottish Government to deliver devolution proposals.Evening Standard · 30 Oct, 00:01

In this story: John Swinney · Andy Burnham · Rhun ap Iorwerth · Scottish Government · UK Government · Holyrood · Glasgow

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