Prime Minister Proposes Greater Power Sharing For Scottish Regions

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has invited the Scottish government to work together to put power back into the hands of local regions during his first substantive trip to Scotland as prime minister. Burnham said he wants to start work on a new deal for regional economic development in the coming months, which includes an offer of devolution from the Department for Work and Pensions. Speaking at an event in Motherwell, Burnham stated that devolution was never meant to stop at the doors of the Scottish Parliament when Holyrood opened in 1999, describing Scotland as the most devolved nation in the UK but one of the most centralised in Europe.

Reactions And Reform

First Minister John Swinney said he was interested in working constructively with Westminster and is all for the Scottish Parliament having as many powers as possible, while denying that too much power is centralised at Holyrood. SNP minister Stephen Flynn noted that the party has sought increased devolved powers since the 2014 Smith Commission report, adding that the first minister sent a letter to the prime minister on Monday addressing several points including this topic. Burnham acknowledged that the Scottish government is working on local government reform after setting out plans last month to replace 32 local authorities with six new regional authorities and between 120 and 160 community authorities, but he argued this process needs to move faster. Burnham will not impose English-style metropolitan mayoral models in Scotland, preferring to agree on a path forward during discussions with devolved first ministers at the end of the month, while also calling for an end to tribal politics between the governments.

Context

Devolution refers to the transfer of certain governing powers from a central government to regional or local bodies. The UK features various devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, alongside different models of regional authority and mayors across England.