UK government pushes regional empowerment amid devolution debate

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government is seeking to advance regional empowerment across the country, as political differences over the future of devolution emerged ahead of a summit in Glasgow on Friday.

Burnham, who is attending the meeting with the leaders of Scotland and Wales, said he would propose developing regional empowerment models in partnership with the UK government.

“Through No 10 North, we are rewiring the state. I want to make sure every city and region in the United Kingdom is part of that,” Burnham said in a pre-summit statement.

He described the initiative as “the next stage of devolution,” urging governments to put politics aside and work together to help communities unlock their potential.

However, Scottish First Minister John Swinney stressed that further devolution proposals must respect Scotland’s existing devolved settlement and involve cooperation with the Scottish government.

"The prime minister has made devolution a central focus for his government. However the UK government must ensure that any devolution proposals respect devolution in Scotland. That means working with the Scottish government," he said.

"The Scottish government has put forward substantive proposals to the UK government on areas where further devolution would help grow Scotland’s economy and I will press the prime minister, and his government, to work with us to deliver those proposals," he said.

The summit comes amid growing political tensions, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland currently led by first ministers from nationalist parties seeking independence from the UK.

Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth is expected to attend the summit, while Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill will be absent after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) vetoed her participation over an ongoing dispute concerning Drumcree.

Officials from Northern Ireland are expected to attend instead.

Aysu Biçer