Burnham invites Scottish government to forge new regional devolution deal

Andy Burnham, the UK prime minister, has invited the Scottish government to work with Westminster on a fresh regional devolution and economic development deal. He said the two sides should start negotiations within the next few months and offered to devolve powers from the Department for Work and Pensions to local authorities. Speaking at an event in North Lanarkshire, Burnham called for further powers to be shifted from Holyrood to Scotland’s regions and cities before a formal deal is signed. Scottish leader Swinney responded that he is interested in "working constructively" and supports the Scottish Parliament having as many powers as possible. Burnham noted that Scotland is the most devolved nation in the UK but remains "one of the most centralised in Europe" and urged the Scottish government’s local‑government reform to move faster. He stressed the need to move beyond constitutional debates and focus on practical solutions to the cost‑of‑living crisis. Burnham also warned against "tribal politics" and said he and Swinney can agree on some points without needing full consensus. While Swinney is set to promote a renewed push for independence at the SNP conference, Burnham reiterated that a second Scottish independence referendum is "off limits" for now. ## Context Burnham’s push builds on the devolution settlement that began when the Scottish Parliament opened in 1999. The aim is to give communities more say in local economic matters while keeping the overall constitutional framework unchanged.