Burnham promises 'no nation left behind' after meeting the first ministers in Glasgow, who tell him local devolution decisions rest with Scotland and Wales
Andy Burnham met Scotland's and Wales's first ministers and Northern Ireland's representatives in Glasgow at the first National Economic Council for the nations, saying no nation would be 'left behind' and all four must 'move at the same pace'. John Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth called the meeting positive but want any devolution within their nations to respect their governments. Burnham has ruled out independence referendums.
Left 0 · Centre-left 5 · Centre 2 · Centre-right 3 · Right 0
ContextSources by leanVideoDeep diveFollow the moneyMore coverage
How each side framed it
Left-leaning outlets
Shared work: 'Burnham says he and Swinney can 'find a way to work together' for Scotland's benefit' (The Herald).
Centre outlets
Centre-rated outlets headline it: “'No nation left behind' says Burnham after meeting first ministers in Glasgow” (BBC News); “Andy Burnham: I don't want to see Scotland left out of my regional devolution plans” (The Scotsman).
Right-leaning outlets
The four nations: 'Four nations must ‘move at same pace together’, Burnham says on devolution' (ITV News); 'Andy Burnham and John Swinney to step up work on devolution' (The Times).
Context
The wider geopolitical and historical background, in our words, each point linked to the source it comes from. Background, not a verdict on today's story. How we write it.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own devolved governments with powers set by Westminster.
- Devolution began after referendums in Scotland and Wales in 1997. Devolution in the United Kingdom
Checked 2026-10-31. Links were opened and returned a page that day.
Search for more (live results, not checked by us): Wikipedia search · Explainers (Google News search) · Background and history (Google News search)
Sources by lean
Balanced: the same number of articles from the left, the centre and the right (up to 3 each). The bar above still counts every rated outlet we found. Bias and factual ratings come from Media Bias/Fact Check. How we balance · All ratings.
Left 2
Centre 2
Right 2
Showing 2 from each side of 10 rated outlets (L 5 / C 2 / R 3). Capped at 2 because that is all we found on the thinnest side. More coverage
Video
News reports from outlets with a bias rating, balanced like the articles: the same number from the left, the centre and the right. A side with no matching video is named, never padded. Every video was checked to exist on YouTube on the day; titles are the publishers' own. Links open YouTube; nothing from YouTube loads on this page. How we pick.
Left 1
Showing 1 from each side that has one.
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Deep dive
The two opposites side by side, seeking to understand rather than judge. These are possible readings of the coverage, built from the articles linked on this page; they are not claims about anyone's motives. How we write it.
Seen from the left
“Burnham says he and Swinney can 'find a way to work together' for Scotland's benefit” The Herald (Scotland)
A possible reading: more powers for the nations are welcome but must respect their governments.
May be protecting: regional power and fairness.
Seen from the right
“Four nations must ‘move at same pace together’, Burnham says on devolution” Evening Standard
A possible reading: holding the union together means more joint working and no new referendums.
May be protecting: the Union and clear lines of control.
What they agree on
Burnham met Scotland's and Wales's first ministers and Northern Ireland's representatives in Glasgow at the first National Economic Council for the nations. All say they want growth outside London.
Where they truly differ
Who decides on devolution within Scotland and Wales, and independence referendums, which Burnham rules out.
The paradox
A plan to devolve power runs into governments that already have it.
Open questions
- Which powers over employment support would move?
- How would the council's decisions be held to account?
- Shared question: which powers should move to cities and regions first?
Follow the money
Not yet researched. We haven't yet looked at who gains or loses financially from this story, or who funds the main voices on each side. When we do, we check company filings, the Electoral Commission donations register, lobbying registers, annual reports, InfluenceMap and OpenSecrets, and we apply the same checks to every side. How we follow the money.
Who owns or funds the outlets covering this story (11 outlets)
| Outlet | Lean | Ownership & funding (MBFC) |
|---|---|---|
| Politico Europe | Centre-left | On 8/26/2021, German publisher Axel Springer purchased Politico and Politico Europe for a reported 1 billion dollars. Axel Springer owns numerous publications, including Bild, Business Insider, and Fakt. source |
| The Guardian | Centre-left | The Guardian and its companion publication, the Sunday newspaper The Observer, are owned by Guardian Media Group plc (GMG). Scott Trust Limited was created in 1936 to ensure the editorial independence of the publications and owns Guardian Media Group plc (GMG). source |
| The Herald (Scotland) | Centre-left | The Glasgow Herald is published by Herald & Times Group, which is owned by Newsquest Media Group Ltd. Newsquest is the second-largest publisher in the United Kingdom, publishing 205 brands including 165 newspapers. Further, Newsquest is owned by US-based Gannett which publishes USA Today. source |
| The Independent | Centre-left | The Independent is owned by Independent Print Limited, a company owned by the Lebedev family (Alexander Lebedev and his son Evgeny Lebedev). In 2017, Saudi Businessman Sultan Muhammad Abuljadayel bought a 30% stake in the Independent online newspaper. Advertising and subscription generate revenue for the paper..push({}); source |
| The National (Scotland) | Centre-left | The National is operated by Newsquest Media Group Ltd., a UK-based local media publisher. Newsquest is a wholly owned subsidiary of USA TODAY Co., Inc., the media company formerly known as Gannett Company, which also controls AZthe USA TODAY Network of national and local news outlets in the United States and regional titles in the United Kingdom. Revenue is generated from advertising and subscription sales source |
| BBC News | Centre | The BBC operates under a Royal Charter. Oversight is managed by the BBC Board, and regulatory authority rests with Ofcom. source |
| The Scotsman | Centre | JPIMedia owns the Scotsman. Advertising and subscription fees generate revenue..push({}); source |
| Evening Standard | Centre-right | The newspaper is majority-owned by Russian businessman and former KGB agent Alexander Lebedev and the Daily Mail and General Trust. Revenue is generated through advertising. source |
| ITV News | Centre-right | No ownership data found |
| The Times | Centre-right | The Times and Sunday Times is owned by News UK (News Corp UK & Ireland Limited), which American News Corp owns. The owner and Executive Chairman of News Corp are Rupert Murdoch. Revenue is derived from advertising and subscription fees. source |
| Daily Record | Not rated | No ownership data found |