UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham launched policy work with Scotland and Wales after a Glasgow meeting Friday, opening talks on regional growth and industrial policy without setting out powers, funding or a timetable.
The UK government described the gathering as the first National Economic Council session devoted to the UK’s nations. Downing Street said officials from the UK and Scottish governments would run a policy sprint, with a parallel process involving UK and Welsh officials. Both are to examine regional empowerment, reindustrialisation and growth.
The governments have not identified powers for transfer, additional funding for the work or a schedule for possible changes. The UK government presents regional empowerment as a way to spread opportunity and growth across communities, but its statements did not estimate the costs of the proposed work.
Burnham argued that Scotland and Wales should shape any deeper devolution alongside the UK government. Drawing on his experience as mayor of Greater Manchester, he said devolved powers allowed the city region to set its own path and industrial ambitions. He described the aim as “good growth in every postcode.”
He used Ravenscraig in Scotland and Port Talbot in Wales to illustrate what he described as the UK’s poor record in supporting communities through industrial change. His remarks also raised steel, oil and gas, and employment support as parts of the growth agenda.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney called the meeting “a welcome start of work” and said Burnham had committed to respecting the Scottish Parliament. Before the meeting, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said he would press Burnham “not to bypass the Senedd and not to treat Wales as a region of England.”
The UK government had separately announced £1 billion over four years for regional innovation clusters through UK Research and Innovation on Oct. 9. That commitment preceded the council meeting. Downing Street said Cardiff is due to host the next council meeting in spring 2027.
