Burnham tells first ministers no nation will be 'left behind' on devolution

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the UK's four nations must "move together" in devolving more power to regions and cities, after meeting the Scottish and Welsh first ministers and representatives from Northern Ireland in Glasgow. Speaking after the first National Economic Council for the nations, held in the Scottish city, Burnham highlighted plans for devolution at the regional level and said he wanted to ensure that no nation was "left behind". "It's really important we all move at the same pace together, and I won't allow anything to delay that," the prime minister said. "Growth can't wait. People need to see improvements in employment and in living standards in all parts of the UK." Northern Ireland was represented by officials at the meeting, which took place amid the political fallout from the Drumcree parade dispute. Ministers and representatives at the summit discussed handing regions more powers over employment support and funding for reindustrialisation. Burnham said it was about creating structures at a regional level, and that it was a matter for Scotland and Wales to decide what that looked like in each country. He urged both governments to work jointly with the UK government on "a model of deeper devolution", which in the context of reindustrialisation could include greater devolution of innovation funding. Burnham, the first ministers and the Northern Ireland representatives also agreed there are too many young people out of work across the nations. The prime minister said the UK government would look at arrangements for further devolution of employment support for young people in both Scotland and Wales. Devolution has been central to Burnham's agenda since he entered Downing Street this summer. He argues that "rewiring the state" and handing more control to regional mayors and authorities across England will boost economic growth. His approach at the national level has been less clearly defined, though he has said he will listen to calls from the devolved administrations for further powers while encouraging them to share responsibilities with local authorities. Scotland's First Minister John Swinney, the SNP leader, said he welcomed the recognition that "Westminster is not working for Scotland" and pledged to work "constructively and collaboratively" with Burnham. While he and the prime minister disagree on independence, Swinney described the meeting as "a welcome start" on further devolution. "When the people of Scotland take issues into their own hands, the best outcomes will follow," Swinney said. "I will work constructively and collaboratively with the prime minister to devolve more powers from Westminster to Scotland, as long as those proposals drive economic growth that is felt in higher wages, better jobs, more opportunities for business to start and expand, and support with the cost of living." A Downing Street spokesperson said the UK government would review issues raised by the first minister, but that this would not include a second independence referendum in Scotland. Both first ministers have called for a wider conversation about independence, which Burnham has ruled out in the form of referendums. Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, of Plaid Cymru, said he had pressed the need for Wales and the Welsh government to have the necessary tools to better serve communities, and reiterated that further devolution within Wales was a matter for the Senedd and only the Senedd. He welcomed the prime minister's "step forward" on the Welsh government's fiscal and borrowing powers and gave his full support to pushing for a stronger relationship with the EU. Downing Street described the discussions as positive, saying the first minister of Wales had agreed to start a process exploring how each government could contribute to regional empowerment, reindustrialisation and achieving good growth in every postcode.