UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to call for greater local decision-making powers in Scotland during a visit to the country’s central belt.
Burnham plans to invite First Minister John Swinney to work with the UK Government on transferring more responsibilities from both Westminster and the Scottish Government to local authorities and communities.
The Prime Minister argues that decisions should be made closer to the people affected by them. His proposals are intended to give towns and regions more influence over local priorities and help create jobs and economic opportunities.
The visit comes as Scotland’s governing Scottish National Party holds its annual conference in Aberdeen. The SNP continues to campaign for Scottish independence, while Burnham has said his priority is closer cooperation and further devolution rather than another independence referendum.
The proposals could open a wider discussion about the balance of power between Scotland’s Parliament in Holyrood, the UK Government and local councils.
However, further details will be needed to establish which powers could be transferred, how the changes would work and what role local communities would have in making decisions.
The debate highlights differing approaches to Scotland’s future: the SNP’s campaign for independence and Burnham’s proposal to give regional communities more control while Scotland remains within the United Kingdom.