Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his address to the National Economic Council to set out a vision for deeper devolution in Scotland and Wales, calling for a collaborative approach to economic growth and industrial transition. He said he wanted the UK Government to work with devolved governments to deliver 'good growth in every postcode'.
Burnham, who served as mayor of Greater Manchester before becoming prime minister, said his experience with devolved powers there had shown him how places could set their own path and achieve results. He argued that the UK Government should back the devolved governments' own designs for devolution. 'We think we've got to get to a point where we draw a bit of a line,' he said. 'I think we all owe it to all of the people of all nations to come to a point where the UK Government is working in a more collaborative way with the devolved governments.'
The meeting, at the end of Budget week, was attended by the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, as well as the Business Secretary and Work and Pensions Secretary. Burnham also noted the absence of colleagues from Northern Ireland, but said the government was working with them on the same agenda.
The Prime Minister said past industrial transitions had not been handled particularly well, recalling Ravenscraig and saying a similar story could be told about Port Talbot. 'There is a need for industrial transition all over the UK, and it's not something I don't think we've done particularly well if you look in the past,' he said. He referenced the recent Jackdaw oil and gas decision as part of that conversation, and referred to steel industry issues in Scotland and Wales.
Burnham said he wanted to have a conversation about employment support and how it could link to the growth agenda. He struck a cooperative tone, saying he hoped his approach of 'problem solving rather than point scoring' had been evident so far.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The PM signals a departure from previous UK government relations with devolved administrations, emphasising collaboration over conflict.
- The focus on re-industrialisation and devolution could reshape economic policy in Scotland, Wales and parts of England.
- The meeting sets the stage for potential new devolution deals and changes to employment support.
Background
The National Economic Council brings together UK government ministers and the first ministers of Scotland and Wales to coordinate economic policy. Burnham previously served as mayor of Greater Manchester, a role that gave him direct experience with devolved powers. He has spoken at Motherwell about the industrial transition agenda. The speech was delivered at the end of Budget week, and followed the approval of the Jackdaw gas field.
What to Watch
- The response from the Scottish and Welsh governments to the deeper devolution offer.
- Whether the UK government follows through with new financial or policy support for industrial transition.
- How employment support reforms are linked to the devolution and growth agenda.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedBurnham offered to work towards deeper devolution in Scotland and Wales.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “What I want to do is set, if you like, the tone, which is one of a positive offer to work with both the Scottish and Welsh Governments in terms of looking at a model of deeper devolution in Scotland and Wales”
- SupportedBurnham used the phrase “good growth in every postcode”.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “But not just any kind of growth, good growth in every postcode”
- SupportedBurnham called for collaboration with devolved governments on growth and industrial transition.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “the UK Government is working in a more collaborative way with the devolved governments to then drive that growth agenda”
- SupportedBurnham addressed the National Economic Council about deeper devolution in Scotland and Wales and economic growth.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “This is a meeting with the National Economic Council, with the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales”
- SupportedBurnham said, “We think we've got to get to a point where we draw a bit of a line.”News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “We think we’ve got to get to a point where we draw a bit of a line.”
- SupportedBurnham said, “I think we all owe it to all of the people of all nations to come to a point where the UK Government is working in a more collaborative way with the devolved governments.”News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “I think we all owe it to all of the people of all nations to come to a point where the UK Government is working in a more collaborative way with the devolved governments”
- SupportedBurnham said his experience as Greater Manchester mayor showed how places could set their own path and achieve results.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “having got it down to that level, what happened was that ability to set our own path, set high ambitions for industry, and a decade on, the results are there to see.”
- SupportedThe meeting included the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, the Business Secretary and the Work and Pensions Secretary.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “with the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales”
- SupportedBurnham noted that colleagues from Northern Ireland were absent and said the government was working with them on the same agenda.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “It’s a shame that we do not have colleagues from Northern Ireland, but obviously we’re working with them on the same agenda.”
- SupportedBurnham said industrial transition had not been handled particularly well in the past, citing Ravenscraig and Port Talbot.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “There is a need for industrial transition all over the UK, and it’s not something I don’t think we’ve done particularly well if you look in the past.”
- SupportedBurnham referred to the Jackdaw decision and steel industry issues in Scotland and Wales during the discussion.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “John, I know you’ve obviously got issues related to the steel industry, same in Wales, and we’re working with you on those, around oil and gas. We had the Jackdaw decision last week.”
- SupportedBurnham said he wanted to discuss employment support and how it could link to the growth agenda, and said he hoped his approach of “problem solving rather than point scoring” had been evident.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “I’ve talked about problem solving rather than point scoring; I hope you’ve seen enough so far to know that is how I work.”