Glasgow City Region pushed for greater devolved powers

The partnership, which includes eight councils, has announced significant progress in securing funding and recognition for key projects, managing a portfolio worth more than £2 billion.

Recent achievements include £50 million in funding for health and life sciences through the UK Government's Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, making Glasgow one of only three UK regions to receive this support.

Other successes highlighted in a new progress report include the near completion of City Deal-funded projects such as the refurbishment of Glasgow’s George Square and the construction of a new railway station in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire.

Susan Aitken, chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet and leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "We welcome signals from the new Prime Minister to accelerate further local decision-making.

"For some time, Glasgow and its seven surrounding council areas have been pushing the UK and Scottish governments for a devolution settlement matching those already provided to our peers in Greater Manchester and West Midlands.

"Our latest performance report shows how advanced we already are in regional working.

"The question now is not whether regional working can be established – it is more about what additional powers, flexibilities and resources are now required to allow us to deliver at even greater pace and scale, to support a stronger, better and fairer local economy for everyone."

The cabinet has now agreed to develop a detailed proposal for further devolution, covering areas such as skills, transport, housing, infrastructure, and economic development.

This proposal will form the basis of negotiations with both the UK and Scottish governments.

A dedicated taskforce will shape the proposal, drawing on expertise from across the eight councils, government agencies, industry, and the third sector.

The group will examine current delivery models and explore how greater autonomy could improve outcomes for the region.

The proposal will also align with national reform agendas and government policy priorities.

A key focus will be ensuring that economic growth leads to tangible benefits for residents, supporting both health and wealth across communities.

A dedicated workstream on poverty, health, and inclusion will ensure that the final plan supports reducing poverty and improving outcomes for people and communities.

Aitken said Glasgow’s ambitions for devolution are not just about more powers, but about delivering real change.

She said: "Today we agreed plans for developing a proposal that is set to have a major impact on the way our local public services could operate.

"Work involving all our councils and agencies will look closely at areas such as skills, our local transport system, housing, infrastructure, support for local businesses and key growing sectors, and activities to grow the economy.

"It will consider how these are working currently and how they could better deliver in the context of our specific local needs and priorities – and of course aligning to government policy and reform agendas.

"Vitally, all of this will be underpinned by a focus on economic growth for a purpose to ensure our recommendations are driving a healthier and wealthier place for all our people."

The proposal will emphasise the need for a Scottish model of regional empowerment that respects the statutory role of local authorities, strengthens accountability, and improves delivery across the Glasgow City Region.

Aitken said: "I’m proud of what we’ve been able to deliver over the last decade with City Deal funding, but we need to be clear that that momentum will be lost without a commitment to give Glasgow City Region the powers and investment that we’ve seen in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.

"This proposal me and my seven colleagues in Cabinet have agreed on today provides a template that fits into our existing Scottish context of devolution, and we look forward to working with both our governments to implement the next phase of our devolution journey."

The meeting also marked Aitken's final meeting as chair, after more than 10 years leading the partnership.