Prime Minister to focus on ‘practical measures, not constitutional changes’ for Scotland

The prime minister has said his priority for the devolved nations will be “focused on practical measures, not constitutional changes” following his first calls with leaders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Andy Burnham – who entered Number 10 on Monday – called First Minister John Swinney on Tuesday morning, emphasising the need to find “common ground based on collaborative, practical and pragmatic relations”.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “Working in partnership, the prime minister said together they could drive deeper devolution to all parts of the United Kingdom to get growth going. 

“The prime minister added he was focused on practical measures, not constitutional changes like further referendums, to give families more breathing room by helping them with the cost of living, which he had done today by helping millions of households with their energy bills. 

"The prime minister said he looked forward to meeting with the heads of the devolved governments soon and visiting Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland shortly.”

Burnham also had a call with Welsh FM Rhun ap Iorwerth, and a joint call with Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

Part of his agenda is to devolve power away from Westminster. He has also said this should mean moving power beyond Holyrood to local communities.

Swinney has said he would seek to work constructively with the new UK Government on areas of shared interest, such as the cost-of-living response.

But he has also been pushing for the powers to be able to hold another referendum on Scottish independence.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The first minister set out the majority within the Scottish Parliament for the future of Scotland to be decided by the people of Scotland and looked forward to a constructive dialogue on this issue.”