Burnham tells Swinney that devolution 'was never supposed to stop at the doors of the Scottish Parliament'

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called on John Swinney to push power out of Holyrood and into Scotland's regions and cities, branding the Scottish Government one of the most centralised devolved administrations in Europe. Burnham made the offer during his first major speech in Scotland, at an event in North Lanarkshire, urging both governments to work through No10 North on a new model of regional empowerment. Swinney responded that he would of course work with Burnham if new powers were genuinely on offer.

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said power 'was never supposed to stop at the doors of the Scottish Parliament', backing Burnham's pitch to Scottish communities.

The SNP's Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn used the Aberdeen conference to demand Burnham 'bring it on' and allow a second independence referendum before 2031.

The SNP is simultaneously launching its 'Choose Scotland' campaign — its biggest independence drive since 2014 — including a £100,000 ad push and leaflet drops to nearly 1.5 million homes.