Downing Street said British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Scottish First Minister John Swinney agreed Friday to a joint policy sprint on regional powers and industrial renewal across the UK.
The agreement follows Burnham's earlier appeal for devolved governments to expand cities' and regions' role in economic decisions, an initiative EconoTimes covered in its report on his regional devolution proposal.
No10 North will lead officials from both administrations as they examine regional economic decision-making, industrial renewal and ways to support growth throughout the country, Downing Street said. The leaders described their National Economic Council meeting as extremely positive.
Outside the sprint, the UK government will review and respond to a range of issues Swinney raised. Burnham said the separate review would not cover a second Scottish independence referendum, which he has repeatedly ruled out.
Officials from both governments will take the agenda forward through the No10 North-led sprint.
