Burnham urges Scotland to move past independence, offers regional powers deal

Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his first visit to Scotland since taking office to urge politicians to move beyond the independence debate, while offering Holyrood a deal to push powers down to Scotland's regions and cities.

Speaking Friday at a college on the former Ravenscraig steelworks site in Motherwell, Burnham said far too much time was lost to constitutional rows, according to The Irish Times. The address came as the Scottish National Party held its annual conference in Aberdeen.

What was offered

According to the published text of the speech on GOV.UK, Burnham proposed:

• A localized employment support model for Scotland, shaped by Holyrood.
• A new model of regional economic empowerment, designed with the Scottish government.
• Exploring regional control of research and innovation investment.
• £10 million for two defence technical colleges, which the Scottish government has agreed to match.

He said he would raise the offer at a National Economic Council meeting with the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the coming weeks.

Referendum question

Asked about a second independence vote, Burnham said his view "won't be changing" but did not explicitly rule one out, the Press Association reported. SNP figure Stephen Flynn told the party conference that Burnham had declined to rule out a referendum.

First Minister John Swinney said he would work with the UK government on empowering regions, The Irish Times reported, while rejecting a suggestion from Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander that Holyrood was hoarding power. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, also in Scotland, said the SNP already had the powers it needed.

Swinney wants a referendum before 2031, the Press Association reported.