Four nations must ‘move at same pace together’, Burnham says on devolution

The discussions focused on transferring practical economic powers closer to Scotland and Wales. The aim is to support reindustrialisation, improve employment and raise living standards. The proposals concern responsibilities, not independence or separate statehood.

One strand involves devolving innovation funding to regional level. Scotland and Wales would decide what regional structures should look like. Once a suitable vehicle exists, the Scottish or Welsh Government and UK Government could jointly back it and coordinate investment.

The second strand concerns employment support, particularly for young people. The Government will examine further devolution arrangements in both countries. The article gives no timetable or exact funding amount. It says detailed work will continue through a Number 10 North policy sprint focused on regional empowerment, reindustrialisation and good growth in every postcode.

Devolution is the sharing or transfer of decision-making powers from Westminster to governments and authorities closer to the people affected. In the article, this includes possible control over employment support and innovation funding. Devolved institutions remain part of the United Kingdom and work within the wider UK constitutional system.

Independence is different because it would create a separate sovereign state. The article says SNP leader John Swinney and Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth want a wider conversation about independence. Mr Burnham, however, has ruled out referendums on the issue.

The current meeting therefore concerns additional powers within the Union, not a vote on leaving it. The Prime Minister also wants Scotland and Wales to share responsibilities with local authorities. That shows devolution can continue at several levels without becoming independence.

The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The meeting brought together the UK Government and representatives from the devolved administrations to discuss economic powers, employment support and reindustrialisation.

Scotland was represented by First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth. Wales was represented by Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth in the discussions described. Northern Ireland did not send political leaders; officials represented it because of political fallout from the Drumcree parade dispute. The Prime Minister also attended.

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander accompanied the Prime Minister, while other UK ministers were involved in the wider visit. The meeting was the first National Economic Council for the nations. Downing Street called it extremely positive and promised a policy sprint on regional empowerment and growth.

No current figure is provided for the number of young people out of work in Scotland, Wales or England. The Prime Minister says the problem is serious in all three parts of Great Britain. That makes youth employment a practical test for whether devolution can improve daily life.

The proposed response is further devolution of employment support, particularly for young people. Scotland and Wales could have more responsibility for designing or delivering support, potentially through arrangements involving the Department for Work and Pensions. The article does not specify the exact powers, budget or delivery model.

John Swinney said detailed work would continue on employability and DWP responsibilities. The Government’s stated goal is better employment and living standards. However, the article gives no measured target, timetable or promise that a particular number of young people will find work.

Moving decisions closer to communities could help policies reflect local economic conditions. Regional authorities may understand which industries, skills and employers need support better than a single central programme. That matters because the Prime Minister wants growth and improved living standards in every part of the UK.

The proposed mechanism combines two powers. Regional structures could receive more innovation funding for reindustrialisation, backed jointly by the UK and devolved governments. Scotland and Wales could also gain more responsibility for employment support, especially for young people. These powers could connect industrial investment with local skills and jobs.

The article does not provide evidence that the changes will definitely create jobs or raise incomes. Their effect would depend on the structures Scotland and Wales create, the funding available and how governments cooperate. Ministers plan further detailed work through a policy sprint focused on regional empowerment and good growth.

Scotland and Wales are seeking more powers because they want greater responsibility for decisions affecting their economies and people. John Swinney proposed additional powers for Holyrood, while the meeting explored employment support, employability and DWP responsibilities. Wales also took part in discussions about employment and regional funding.

The UK Government’s position has two directions. It is willing to devolve some responsibilities from Westminster to Scotland and Wales. But ministers also want those national governments to share control with regional authorities and local communities. Wes Streeting described this as moving power, responsibility and resources right down to communities.

These positions are not necessarily contradictory. Both support decision-making closer to people, but they differ over the level receiving power. The unresolved question is how responsibilities should be divided among Westminster, national governments, regional bodies and councils. Detailed work is expected to continue.

In the system described, Westminster is the UK-wide centre, while Scotland and Wales have national devolved governments. Those governments can exercise responsibilities transferred from Westminster. The Prime Minister also wants regional mayors and authorities in England to receive more control, showing that devolution can operate below the national level.

The article gives a practical example. Westminster could work with Scotland and Wales on employment support and innovation funding. Scotland and Wales would then decide what regional structures should look like. Ministers also want the devolved governments to transfer more power, responsibility and resources to local authorities and communities.

This creates a chain rather than a single handover: UK Government to national administrations, and national administrations to regional or local bodies. The exact settlement is still being worked out. The meeting agreed to detailed discussions, while a Number 10 North policy sprint will pursue regional empowerment and growth.