Burnham invites Swinney to work together on 'deeper Scottish devolution'

“Deeper Scottish devolution” means extending decision-making beyond the Scottish Parliament to regional and community authorities. Andy Burnham says devolution was meant to give communities more control over their futures, rather than stop at Holyrood’s doors. The idea is to spread economic opportunity and practical powers closer to residents.

The proposed model could include Westminster offering employment support through the Department for Work and Pensions. Holyrood would also be expected to transfer some responsibilities, potentially including economic growth and education, to new regional authorities. Community authorities could handle more local matters, such as licensing and town-centre improvements.

This would remain within the United Kingdom. Burnham wants agreement with John Swinney rather than imposing England’s metropolitan-mayor model. The Scottish government is already considering replacing 32 councils with six regions and 120 to 160 community authorities, but Burnham says reform must move faster.

Andy Burnham is identified in the article as the prime minister of the United Kingdom. He represents Westminster and is offering talks on a new regional economic-development deal, including possible employment-support powers from the Department for Work and Pensions. His aim is to give Scottish regions a larger role in shaping opportunities.

John Swinney is Scotland’s first minister and leads the Scottish government. That government operates through the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood. Burnham wants Swinney to transfer some Scottish government responsibilities to regional authorities before Westminster hands over additional powers.

The two leaders agree that discussions should continue, but they differ over constitutional priorities. Swinney is expected to promote a renewed push for independence, while Burnham says a second referendum is “off limits”. He is urging both governments to avoid “tribal politics” and focus on practical issues, including the cost of living.

The proposed restructuring would replace Scotland’s existing 32 local authorities with six regional authorities. Beneath them would sit between 120 and 160 community authorities. It would be the biggest change to Scotland’s regional structure since the current system was introduced by the UK government in 1996.

The six regions would cover larger responsibilities, including economic growth and education. The community authorities would sit closer to residents and manage more local issues, such as licensing and town-centre improvements. In simple terms, the plan creates a two-tier system: six broad regional bodies above a much larger network of community bodies.

Compared with 32 councils, the plan would mean 26 fewer top-level local authorities, but 88 to 128 additional lower-level authorities. The exact powers and final design remain unclear. Burnham has welcomed the rethink but says the Scottish government needs to move faster.

The proposed transfer of powers has two possible sources. Westminster could offer Scotland’s regions employment-support responsibilities through the Department for Work and Pensions. Burnham presents this as part of a new deal for regional economic development.

Holyrood could also pass some of its own powers to regional and community authorities. The Scottish government’s proposed regional bodies would have responsibility for major matters such as economic growth and education. Community authorities would focus on smaller concerns, including licensing and town-centre improvements. These examples show a possible division between strategic regional work and everyday local decisions.

The final list is not settled. The article says it is unclear exactly which powers would operate at regional level beyond employment support. Burnham expects Holyrood to devolve some powers, but he will not impose England’s metropolitan-mayor model. Further talks are planned with the devolved first ministers.

If more decisions were made locally, communities could have a stronger say in priorities affecting daily life. Regional authorities might shape economic growth, education and employment support, while community authorities could respond to licensing needs or improve town centres. The intended benefit is closer, more locally tailored decision-making.

The mechanism would be a new two-tier structure. Six regional authorities would handle broad issues, and 120 to 160 community authorities would manage more immediate local concerns. Westminster might transfer employment support through the DWP, while Holyrood could pass down some of its responsibilities. Local decisions would therefore come from several levels rather than one government.

The effects are not yet certain because the powers have not been fully defined. Burnham says Scotland is highly devolved but still one of Europe’s most centralised countries. The next stage is negotiation, including talks with all devolved first ministers, rather than an imposed system.

Greater devolution changes who makes decisions within the United Kingdom. It can move responsibilities from Westminster to Scotland, or from Holyrood to regional and community authorities. Scottish independence is different: it concerns whether Scotland remains part of the UK at all. The article presents deeper devolution as an administrative and economic reform, not a constitutional break-up.

Burnham says a second Scottish independence referendum remains “off limits”. He also says he does not want to be the last prime minister of the UK. His proposed cooperation would therefore strengthen local control while preserving the existing Union. Swinney, by contrast, is expected to renew his push for independence at the SNP conference.

Burnham argues the issues should be kept separate because constitutional arguments consume energy while people face the cost-of-living crisis. He wants governments to focus on practical solutions now. The two sides can disagree on independence while still cooperating on regional powers and economic opportunity.

Countries distribute power because different decisions suit different levels of government. National governments can coordinate matters that cross regional boundaries, set common rules and pool resources. Regional governments can plan economic development across several communities. Local bodies are often closer to residents and may understand everyday priorities better.

In this proposal, Westminster could provide employment support through the DWP, Holyrood could devolve powers, and regional authorities could manage economic growth and education. Community authorities could handle licensing and town-centre improvements. This layered approach aims to match responsibilities with the level closest to the people affected.

Local control can make services more responsive and give communities a stronger voice. However, more layers can create confusion, uneven provision or disputes over responsibility. Central coordination can support consistent standards and fairer funding, but excessive centralisation may weaken local influence. The article highlights this tension by describing Scotland as highly devolved yet one of Europe’s most centralised countries.