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Burnham says he wants to offer more ‘regional empowerment’ ahead of devolution summit – UK politics live

30 October 2026 at 09:33

Prime minister in Glasgow to meet with Scottish and Welsh leaders to talk about ‘next stage of devolution’

In his statement ahead of the devolution summit in Glasgow today, Andy Burnham made it clear that he is interested in transferring more power from Edinburgh to Glasgow. (See 9.11am.) But John Swinney, the Scottish first minister, would rather talk about devolving further powers from London to Edinburgh. He issued this statement ahead of the meeting.

The prime minister has made devolution a central focus for his government. However the UK government must ensure that any devolution proposals respect devolution in Scotland. That means working with the Scottish government.

The Scottish government has put forward substantive proposals to the UK government on areas where further devolution would help grow Scotland’s economy and I will press the prime minister, and his government, to work with us to deliver those proposals.

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© Photograph: Gary Oakley/Everton FC/Getty Images

© Photograph: Gary Oakley/Everton FC/Getty Images

© Photograph: Gary Oakley/Everton FC/Getty Images

UK politics: Burnham denies preventing ministers from speaking about plans for closer relationship with EU – as it happened

29 October 2026 at 17:30

Prime minister wrote to ministers saying he did not want them to ‘advocate for specific options or opine on the likely outcome of the process’

Selling nicotine-free vapes to children under the age of 18 has become illegal from today, the government has said.

Children were already banned from buying vapes containing nicotine. But, under the Tobacco and Vapes Act, shops across the UK will now be banned from selling nicotine-free vapes, and nicotine pouches, to children.

Vaping can be a way to help established adult smokers who are already addicted to nicotine from tobacco to swap to a less dangerous product. Vaping is considered safer than smoking, but that is a low bar. Vapes should therefore never be used by children or non-smokers.

Some children have already come to harm from bad reactions to vapes. The long-term health harms of vaping in today’s children will only become clear over time. They are however unlikely to be good; inhaling multiple, often heated, chemicals into the lungs may well do irreversible harm.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Darren Staples/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Darren Staples/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Darren Staples/AFP/Getty Images

UK politics: Burnham denies preventing ministers from speaking about plans for closer relationship with EU – as it happened

29 October 2026 at 17:30

Prime minister wrote to ministers saying he did not want them to ‘advocate for specific options or opine on the likely outcome of the process’

Selling nicotine-free vapes to children under the age of 18 has become illegal from today, the government has said.

Children were already banned from buying vapes containing nicotine. But, under the Tobacco and Vapes Act, shops across the UK will now be banned from selling nicotine-free vapes, and nicotine pouches, to children.

Vaping can be a way to help established adult smokers who are already addicted to nicotine from tobacco to swap to a less dangerous product. Vaping is considered safer than smoking, but that is a low bar. Vapes should therefore never be used by children or non-smokers.

Some children have already come to harm from bad reactions to vapes. The long-term health harms of vaping in today’s children will only become clear over time. They are however unlikely to be good; inhaling multiple, often heated, chemicals into the lungs may well do irreversible harm.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Darren Staples/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Darren Staples/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Darren Staples/AFP/Getty Images

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