UK politics: Burnham wants to offer regional empowerment partnership ahead of Glasgow devolution summit

A regional partnership offer

Burnham says he will invite governments in each UK nation to work with the UK government on regional empowerment. He argues communities should be able to use local strengths to reach their potential.

He says the initiative is part of a wider effort to reshape how the state works, and wants every UK city and region involved. The Glasgow summit will focus on the next stage of devolution.

Scotland’s proposals in focus

The UK government has made devolution a central priority, but proposals must respect Scotland’s devolved arrangements, the article says. That requires cooperation with the Scottish government. Scotland’s government has submitted proposals for further powers that it says could help grow the country’s economy. Burnham says he will press the prime minister and government to work with Scotland on them.

New rules for defence contracts

Separately, the government has announced an offsets policy for major defence contracts awarded to overseas companies. Contracts worth more than £50m may be considered for the scheme. Companies could be asked to provide benefits to Britain worth as much as the contract, including jobs, apprenticeships, factories, domestic suppliers, technology transfer and innovation expertise. For a £100m contract, the benefits could reach £100m in value.

The government says it will buy British defence equipment where possible. When it purchases from overseas, the policy is intended to return jobs, skills and investment to Britain and support domestic industry.