Andy Burnham meets first ministers in Glasgow to discuss regional devolution
Prime Minister Andy Burnham convened the first National Economic Council in Glasgow, meeting with Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iowerth, and Northern Ireland representatives. BBC Politics reports that the leaders discussed devolving more power to regions and cities, including employment support and reindustrialisation funding. While the regional leaders welcomed the discussions on deeper devolution, Burnham ruled out calls for second independence referendums.
Key points
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham held talks with Scottish and Welsh first ministers and Northern Ireland representatives in Glasgow, according to BBC Politics.
- BBC Politics reports the meeting focused on regional devolution, employment support for young people, and reindustrialisation funding.
- SNP leader John Swinney welcomed cooperation on devolution while maintaining calls for independence, which Burnham ruled out.
- Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iowerth praised the meeting as positive and welcomed steps on fiscal and borrowing powers.
What happened
Prime Minister Andy Burnham convened the first National Economic Council in Glasgow, meeting with Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iowerth, and officials representing Northern Ireland, as reported by BBC Politics. The talks centered on devolving more power to regions and cities across the UK to boost economic growth and living standards.
BBC Politics reports that Burnham stated the UK nations must move together and that he wanted to ensure no nation was left behind. Discussions included handing regions greater control over employment support, particularly for young people, and managing innovation funding for reindustrialisation.
Who said what
According to BBC Politics, Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that growth cannot wait and that the government would review arrangements for further devolution of employment support in Scotland and Wales. He emphasized a model of deeper devolution while ruling out a second independence referendum.
BBC Politics reports that Scottish First Minister John Swinney stated Westminster is not working for Scotland but pledged to work constructively with Burnham on devolving more powers, provided they drive economic growth and higher wages. Swinney also remarked that Scotland is not like Manchester.
Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iowerth described the meeting as positive and welcomed progress on the Welsh government's fiscal and borrowing powers, while reiterating that further devolution within Wales is a matter solely for the Senedd, as reported by BBC Politics.
Context
BBC Politics notes that devolution has been a central pillar of Burnham's policy agenda since taking office in Downing Street, with a stated aim of rewiring the state and empowering regional mayors and authorities across England. Northern Ireland officials attended the summit amid the political fallout from the Drumcree parade dispute. Both Swinney and ap Iorwerth have previously called for wider conversations about independence.
A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed to BBC Politics that the UK government would review issues raised by the first ministers, though this review explicitly excludes holding a second independence referendum in Scotland.
What happens next
BBC Politics reports that the UK government will review the specific proposals raised by the first ministers regarding regional empowerment and reindustrialisation. Scottish and Welsh administrations are expected to work jointly with Westminster to explore models of deeper devolution and regional economic support structures.
Why it matters
Prime Minister Andy Burnham met with Scottish and Welsh first ministers in Glasgow to advance regional devolution, though BBC Politics reports he ruled out calls for independence referendums.
What we know
- BBC Politics reports Andy Burnham met with Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iowerth, and Northern Ireland representatives in Glasgow.
- BBC Politics reports the leaders discussed devolving employment support and reindustrialisation funding to regional levels.
- BBC Politics reports Andy Burnham ruled out holding a second independence referendum in Scotland.
- BBC Politics reports John Swinney and Rhun ap Iowerth expressed willingness to collaborate on deeper devolution while maintaining their respective stances on independence and Senedd authority.
What remains unclear
- The exact timeline and final structural models for the proposed deeper devolution of employment support and innovation funding remain subject to ongoing review.
How the story developed
Prime Minister Andy Burnham meets first ministers in Glasgow
Andy Burnham meets with Scottish and Welsh first ministers and Northern Ireland representatives in Glasgow to discuss regional devolution, according to BBC Politics.
Original source
