Burnham offers talks on more powers for Scotland but says four nations must 'move at the same pace'
At the first National Economic Council in Glasgow, the Prime Minister offered talks on devolving employment support and innovation funding, but ruled out independence referendums.
First Minister John Swinney. File photo. · Photograph: Scottish Government (CC BY 2.0)
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the UK's four nations must move at the same pace together, as he met First Minister John Swinney and other national leaders in Glasgow.
The first National Economic Council for the nations brought together Mr Burnham, Mr Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and officials from Northern Ireland, which was represented by officials amid the fallout from the Drumcree parade dispute.
What is on the table?
The talks focused on two areas: giving regions more control over funding for reindustrialisation and innovation, and devolving more employment support, especially for young people.
Mr Burnham said there were too many young people out of work in Scotland, Wales and England, and that the government would look at further devolution of employment support in Scotland and Wales.
He said it was for Scotland and Wales to decide what regional structures should look like, but that once there was a vehicle backed by both governments, more innovation funding could be devolved.
No referendum
Both Mr Swinney and Mr ap Iorwerth want a wider conversation about independence, but Mr Burnham has ruled out holding referendums.
'Constructive' talks
Mr Swinney described the meetings as constructive and said they had agreed to take forward detailed work on devolving more powers over employability and the work of the Department for Work and Pensions. Earlier this month he wrote to the Prime Minister proposing more powers for Holyrood, which he says Mr Burnham agreed to consider.
Downing Street described the meeting as extremely positive and said a policy sprint led by Number 10 North would follow.
Power to councils?
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, also visiting Scotland, said the UK government wanted the Scottish Government to hand more power down from Holyrood to local councils. He said there were fundamental differences with the SNP, but that ministers respected the election result and wanted to work constructively.
Mr Swinney was joined by Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth, while Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander accompanied the Prime Minister. Mr Swinney said he would not let past tensions with Mr Alexander get in the way of improving people's lives.