SNP minister Shirley-Anne Somerville refuses to commit to passing on to councils any powers Holyrood gains from Burnham's devolution offer
Shirley-Anne Somerville mocked Andy Burnham for making suggestions 'as if this was the first time this had been thought of'. The Prime Minister wants new employability powers to bypass Holyrood and go to local areas. Somerville says ministers are already consulting on a council shake-up. Their plan would create up to 10 regional authorities and between 120 and 160 smaller local bodies.
In Motherwell, Burnham called Scotland 'one of the most centralised nations in Europe'.
Jenny Gilruth said Burnham is acting like 'the first prime minister of England'.
Russell Findlay said Burnham had 'opened the door' to another 'divisive referendum'.
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Evening StandardSomerville refuses to commit to devolving new powers to Scottish councilsEvening Standard‘Stars are aligning’ for Scottish independence, Swinney to tell SNP conferenceBBC News - ScotlandSwinney insists 'stars are aligning' for Scottish independenceGB NewsAndy Burnham slammed for acting like 'first Prime Minister of England'BBC News - UKChris Mason: Burnham and Swinney tussle over where power lies in ScotlandDaily Mail NewsAndy Burnham 'opens door' to second independence referendumThe TelegraphThe people of Scotland deserve better than Burnham’s tinkeringEvening StandardBurnham acting like ‘the first prime minister of England’, says GilruthEvening StandardPM offers Scotland more powers in bid to move past ‘old politics of conflict’The TelegraphBurnham rules out second Scottish independence referendumBBC News - ScotlandBurnham invites Swinney to work together on 'deeper Scottish devolution'LBCBurnham's offer to the SNP: PM says he wants 'deeper devolution' to empower Scottish regions
