Prime Minister Andy Burnham backs devolution of powers to Edinburgh
‘I hope that we can agree something at the National Economic Council next month’ - Andy Burnham
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged his support for more powers for Edinburgh.
He acknowledged devolving extra responsibilities to local authorities north of the border was a matter for the Scottish Government.
But in reply to a question from Edinburgh South West Labour MP Scott Arthur, he said he hoped something could be agreed when he meets the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at the National Economic Council next month.
In his statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday about the direction of his government, Mr Burnham said he wanted to develop a "triple helix" approach to economic development, getting business, academia and government to work together.
He said: "This is the way we will build a pro-business culture and an innovation-led economy in all parts of the UK, finally capturing the long-term benefits of the invention that is in the DNA of our nation, backing our start-ups and scale-ups to stay in the UK where they were founded."
Dr Arthur thanked the Prime Minister for his statement and said: "He mentioned the triple-helix model, but what is missing from that model in Scotland is that local authorities are not empowered to play their part.
"On Friday, Liz McAreavey from the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and the chief executive of the Glasgow chamber of commerce wrote to the Prime Minister asking that he works with the First Minister in Scotland and city region leaders right across the Edinburgh-Glasgow region to forge a devolution deal that enables these cities to meet their full potential. Will he take that offer seriously?"
Mr Burnham said: "It is certainly on offer from me to have a devolution deal that does precisely what my honourable friend says and gets business, academia and local government all pulling together.
"Obviously it is a matter for the Scottish Government — I am not going to go round their back — but I hope that we can agree something at the National Economic Council next month."
Afterwards, Dr Arthur welcomed the Prime Minister’s comments. He said: “Time was limited, but I was encouraged by his response. He signalled a willingness to consider both investment and greater devolution for Scotland’s major city regions.”
And Dr Arthur told the Evening News: “He seems to be saying he is quite keen to work with the devolved nations about how local authorities could have more of a role in growing their economy and what comes hand in hand with that is also benefiting from that growth.
“When I met the people at the Chamber of Commerce, they pointed out that even if councils were able to turbo charge the local economy they don't benefit directly from a bigger share of business rates or anything like that.”
And Dr Arthur said business leaders felt Scottish councils had less power than some local authorities in England. He said: “It's not about whether or not there's an elected Mayor, but it is about thinking ‘Does Edinburgh - and Glasgow - have everything they need to do what they can to grow their economy and also benefit from that?’
“Andy Burnham seems to be saying that when he meets with the leaders of the devolved nations that's part of the discussion he wants to have.”