Local devolution decisions rest solely with Scotland and Wales, first ministers tell Burnham

John Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth say devolving power further is up to Holyrood and Senedd – not Westminster

Scotland and Wales’s first ministers have told Andy Burnham that decisions on local devolution rest solely with their parliaments, in response to the prime minister’s push to extend English-style regional powers across the UK.

After talks in Glasgow with John Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth about localised employment and reindustrialisation powers, Downing Street characterised the talks as constructive.

However, the defence secretary, Wes Streeting, criticised Swinney’s government before the summit for hoarding powers it acquired from Westminster rather than devolving them further, causing some friction.