PM Offers Holyrood Partnership to Boost Scottish Regional Power
Prime Minister proposes joint effort with Scotland's First Minister to decentralise decision-making and unlock regional economic potential.
By Morag Henderson
••3 min read
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The Prime Minister has extended an offer to Scotland's First Minister to collaborate on devolving more power from both Westminster and Holyrood, aiming to foster regional growth and opportunity across Scotland.
In a significant move, the Prime Minister is inviting Scotland's First Minister to work together on a shared agenda of empowering Scotland's regions. The initiative aims to push decision-making power away from both Westminster and Holyrood, thereby unlocking new jobs and opportunities in every region of the country.
Speaking after engaging with young people in Lanarkshire, the Prime Minister is expected to highlight that the Scottish Government operates as one of Europe's most centralised devolved administrations. He will argue that despite substantial devolution from Westminster over the past 27 years, Holyrood has not sufficiently empowered local communities who possess the best understanding of their areas.
The Prime Minister will contend that the next phase of devolution should transfer more decision-making authority to Scotland's regions and cities to stimulate reindustrialisation, asserting that power was never intended to be confined within the Scottish Parliament.
As part of this proposal, the Prime Minister is calling on the Scottish Government to partner with the UK Government, through No10 North and the Scotland Office, to devise a new framework for regional empowerment in Scotland. This aims to ensure that communities, with their distinct strengths, identities, and aspirations, can capitalise on emerging economic prospects and realise their full potential.
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"During my first week in office, I told the First Minister that I wanted to work with him to spread opportunities to communities across Scotland’s regions and cities. Through No10 North, we are rewiring the state and I want to make sure regions in Scotland are fully part of this. This is me making an offer to the Scottish Government. With us working together, there is no limit to what we can achieve for the Scottish people."
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"Devolution has done a great deal, but power was never supposed to stop at the doors of the Scottish Parliament. People in North Lanarkshire, in Fife or in the Highlands know what their communities need better than any minister, whether they sit in London or Edinburgh. The Prime Minister’s offer to the Scottish Government is a genuine one, and the Scotland Office is ready to roll up its sleeves alongside them to make it happen. Two governments, one goal - good jobs and real opportunity in every corner of Scotland."
Based on information from the official source: Scotland Office (15/10/2026)
