PM Offers Holyrood Partnership to Empower Scotland's Regions
The Prime Minister has invited Scotland's First Minister to work together on devolving more power to Scotland's regions and cities, Downing Street says.
PM invites First Minister to collaborate on devolution
The Prime Minister has invited Scotland's First Minister to work with him on moving more power out of both Westminster and Holyrood, Downing Street announced on 15 October 2026. The offer was set out in a speech delivered after Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke to young people in Lanarkshire.
Scottish Government "one of the most centralised" in Europe, PM says
In the speech, Mr Burnham said the Scottish Government is one of the most centralised devolved administrations in Europe. He said Holyrood has not given people who know their areas best enough of a say, despite significant devolution from Westminster over the past 27 years.
Next stage of devolution
The Prime Minister argued that the next stage of devolution should place more decision-making power in the hands of Scotland's regions and cities, in order to drive reindustrialisation. As part of the offer, he called on the Scottish Government to work with the UK Government through No10 North and the Scotland Office to develop a new model of regional empowerment for Scotland.
Quotes
Mr Burnham said: "During my first week in office, I told the First Minister that I wanted to work with him to spread opportunities to communities across Scotland's regions and cities. Through No10 North, we are rewiring the state and I want to make sure regions in Scotland are fully part of this. This is me making an offer to the Scottish Government. With us working together, there is no limit to what we can achieve for the Scottish people."
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said devolution has done a great deal, but power was never supposed to stop at the doors of the Scottish Parliament. He said people in North Lanarkshire, Fife or the Highlands know what their communities need better than any minister, whether in London or Edinburgh. Mr Alexander added that the Prime Minister's offer to the Scottish Government is genuine, and that the Scotland Office is ready to work alongside them.
GOV.UK, 15 October 2026.
Key takeaways
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham has invited Scotland's First Minister to work together on devolving further power to Scotland's regions and cities.
- Burnham said the Scottish Government is one of the most centralised devolved administrations in Europe.
- The UK Government wants a new model of regional empowerment for Scotland developed jointly through No10 North and the Scotland Office.
- Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said the offer to the Scottish Government is genuine and the Scotland Office is ready to work alongside them.
FAQ
What did the Prime Minister announce?
He invited Scotland's First Minister to work with him on pushing more power out of both Westminster and Holyrood to benefit Scotland's regions and cities.
Where did the Prime Minister make this announcement?
He delivered the speech after speaking with young people in Lanarkshire.
What did the Prime Minister say about the Scottish Government?
He said it is one of the most centralised devolved administrations in Europe, and that Holyrood has not given people who know their areas best enough of a say, despite 27 years of devolution from Westminster.
What has the Scottish Secretary said about the offer?
Douglas Alexander said the offer to the Scottish Government is genuine and that the Scotland Office is ready to work alongside them.