Burnham offers to work with devolved governments to spread power to regions

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has offered to work with devolved governments to put more decision-making in the hands of regions and cities.

At a meeting with the first ministers of Scotland and Wales on Friday, the Prime Minister will say they should aim to go further than the transfer of powers from one parliament to another.

Devolution has been a centrepoint of the Prime Minister’s agenda since his march to Downing Street in the summer, and he has insisted giving more control to regional mayors and authorities across England will help to boost economic growth.

His vision for further devolution in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland has been less clear, but the Prime Minister has said he will listen to the nations’ calls for further powers while advocating that they share more responsibilities with local authorities.

Ahead of the first National Economic Council for the nations in Glasgow, Mr Burnham said: “Through No 10 North, we are rewiring the state.

“I want to make sure every city and region in the United Kingdom is part of that.

“Today I’ll be making an offer to the governments of each nation.

“Put politics aside and work in partnership with the UK Government to develop models of regional empowerment that ensure communities can use their own strengths to unlock their potential.

“This is the next stage of devolution.

Andy Burnham has said he wants to work with John Swinney (Jane Barlow/PA)

PA Wire

“Together, there is no limit to what we can achieve.”

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said: “The National Economic Council provides an opportunity for the Prime Minister to turn words into action by engaging constructively with Scottish Government proposals to help grow our 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. That means working with the Scottish Government.

“The Scottish Government has put forward substantive proposals to the UK Government on areas where further devolution would help grow Scotland’s economy and I will press the Prime Minister, and his government, to work with us to deliver those proposals.”

Earlier this month, the Prime Minister used his first major speech north of the border since entering No 10 to offer an olive branch to Mr Swinney, saying he wanted to work together on giving more power to local communities.

Describing Scotland as “one of the most centralised nations in Europe”, he said he wanted the country to benefit from the same opportunities offered by his drive to devolve more power to English regions.

Northern Ireland will be represented at the meeting, Downing Street said, after First Minister Michelle O’Neill claimed deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly had “blocked” representation from the region amid the political fallout from the Drumcree parading dispute.