By Karim Hammam
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the country's four nations must "move together" on devolution after chairing the first National Economic Council meeting with the Scottish and Welsh first ministers in Glasgow on Friday.
Devolution focus
Burnham emphasized that no nation would be "left behind" as the UK government seeks to transfer more powers to regions and cities. The summit included Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iowerth, and officials representing Northern Ireland amid ongoing political tensions there.
Scottish and Welsh responses
Swinney welcomed Burnham's acknowledgment that "Westminster is not working for Scotland" and pledged to work "constructively and collaboratively" on deeper devolution, though both leaders reiterated calls for a wider conversation on independence. Burnham has ruled out a second independence referendum.
Ap Iowerth described the meeting as "positive" and pressed for greater fiscal and borrowing powers for Wales, as well as a stronger relationship with the European Union. He stressed that further devolution within Wales remains a matter for the Senedd.
Youth employment and reindustrialisation
The leaders agreed that too many young people are out of work across the nations. Burnham said the UK government would examine further devolution of employment support for young people in Scotland and Wales. Discussions also covered handing regions more control over innovation funding to drive reindustrialisation.
Burnham's devolution agenda
Since taking office this summer, Burnham has made "rewiring the state" and empowering regional mayors in England a central policy. While his approach to national-level devolution has been less defined, he said he would listen to the devolved administrations' demands for more powers while urging them to share responsibilities with local authorities.
