Prime Minister Andy Burnham has invited the Scottish government to collaborate on a new regional economic development deal intended to transfer more authority to local areas. During a visit to Motherwell, Burnham stated that he intends to begin work on the proposal within the next few months, which includes offering devolved powers from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the UK agency responsible for welfare and employment policy.
The proposal follows a period of differing views between the UK and Scottish governments. While Burnham described Scotland as the most devolved nation in the UK, he also characterized it as one of the most centralized in Europe. He argued that the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 was intended to be the start of a process that gave local communities more influence, rather than a final stopping point for power.
Under the proposed plan, Burnham called for the Scottish government to devolve powers from Holyrood, the seat of the Scottish Parliament, to local regions before the UK government transfers further authority. First Minister John Swinney expressed interest in working constructively with Westminster and noted his support for the Scottish Parliament holding as many powers as possible. Stephen Flynn of the Scottish National Party (SNP) noted that the First Minister had previously included engagement on these points in a letter sent to the Prime Minister on Monday.
The scale of the change involves a restructuring of Scottish local government and the potential transfer of DWP functions, though the specific dollar amounts and the exact number of DWP staff affected were not reported. A person living in Scotland might eventually notice changes in how employment services are administered or how local development projects are funded. However, the Prime Minister and First Minister remain in disagreement over the broader issue of independence; Burnham stated that a second independence referendum remains "off limits," while Swinney is expected to continue advocating for independence.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the plan, characterizing it as more jobs for the boys rather than addressing economic needs. She argued that the Prime Minister should instead focus on granting new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea. The next steps involve the development of the regional economic deal over the coming months, though no specific deadline for legislation or a final vote has been established. First Minister Swinney is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the SNP conference this Saturday.