Edinburgh and Glasgow demand funding parity and economic devolution
What happened
At the SNP conference in Aberdeen, Cllr Lesley Macinnes, the SNP group leader in Edinburgh, and Cllr Ricky Bell from Glasgow City Council passed a motion demanding Scottish cities be treated equally to their English counterparts. The motion called for unconditional, single-pot multi-year funding, similar to the system used in England. Cllr Macinnes noted that Edinburgh's GDP per person has surpassed London's levels.
Why it matters
The demand seeks to change the funding structure for local authorities in Scotland, moving away from conditional funding toward unconditional, single-pot funding. This push for parity compares Scottish cities to their English counterparts, referencing the funding models used in England.
City mayors, including Andy Burnham, advocate for greater regional devolution power for Scottish cities.
Who's involved
- EdinburghLocation of the SNP group leader who joined the motion
- GlasgowLocation of the council leader who joined the motion
- Glasgow City CouncilCouncil represented by Cllr Ricky Bell in the motion
- Andy BurnhamPolitician advocating for greater regional devolution for Scottish cities
- City of Edinburgh CouncilCouncil represented by Cllr Lesley Macinnes
- Scottish GovernmentDevolved government of Scotland being asked to grant greater devolution
- EnglandGeopolitical state whose funding model is being requested
- LondonCity used as a benchmark for Edinburgh's economic performance
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- Glasgow City CouncilSpeculative
Glasgow City Council might see changes in funding access and regulatory standing due to the demand for unconditional funding.
- City of Edinburgh CouncilSpeculative
City of Edinburgh Council might see changes in funding access and regulatory standing due to the demand for unconditional funding.
- EnglandSpeculative
England might influence funding standards and competitive pressure regarding local authority funding.
Keep exploring
Part of
Scottish cities demand greater devolution and funding parityAlso in this story
- Andy Burnham advocates for decentralizing powers to cities, urging the SNP government to share power and criticizing Holyrood.
- Michael Kelly advocates for local government reform in Glasgow.
- The drug death rate is a national emergency in Europe, highlighted by a council funding issue determined by a document published in Edinburgh.
- Pressure is mounting regarding the current state and services of bus services operating within the city of Glasgow.
The entities involved
Related events
- The UK government is reviewing funding models for England, recognizing the need for stronger, essential cities like Birmingham, Leeds, and Liverpool to drive national growth, while also addressing capital city pressures in London.
- Edinburgh is the first city in Scotland to implement a levy, following precedents set by Liverpool and Manchester, under Scottish Parliament legislation.