Glasgow region needs 'elected mayor and devolution deal'
The Centre for Cities said Glasgow could be missing out on billions in funding without the changes.
A report, The Missing Piece In The Big Cities' Jigsaw, claimed Scotland's GDP would be 4.6% larger than it is now if Glasgow's economy performed in line with the average for cities its size.
In England, there are 10 combined local authorities that have a metro mayor. The process of local devolution began a decade ago with Greater Manchester.
READ MORE: COMMENT: Why Labour's offer of Scottish Andy Burnhams is not what we need
It is not the first time a think tank has suggested the idea. In 2022 Reform Scotland, now named Enlighten after confusion with Nigel Farage's party, called for elected mayors, who could then meet with the First Minister every three months.
Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities, said: 'The UK is taking a city-region led approach to economic growth because cities are at the frontier of innovation and economic growth.
'Glasgow has an important role in this, with the potential to make an added economic contribution the size of Scotland's oil and gas sector if it harnesses its size to generate more cutting-edge activity.
'English cities with metro mayors have in the last week been allocated billions to invest in local public transport networks and R&D.
'Scotland, too, needs its big cities to make a greater contribution to the economy.
'A directly-elected mayor for the Glasgow city region would bring much-needed leadership, accountability and the ability to shape growth around the city's needs.'
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: 'Glasgow is key to driving the Scottish economy, which is why the Scottish Government is partly funding the city-region's £1.13 billion growth deal.
'We have also supported Glasgow city region's £160 million investment zone, with additional funding for electric vehicle infrastructure and skills development.
READ MORE: UK must not look away from Gaza genocide amid Iran-Israel war - Amnesty
'We are working with partners to explore ways of devolving further powers to regional economic partnerships, including Glasgow city region, with the aim of presenting options to Ministers by the end of this Parliament.'
A spokesperson for Ian Murray said: 'We have been clear that Scottish regions would benefit hugely from elected mayors, just as English regions have.
'For too long power in Scotland has been held at Holyrood – we need to push devolution back to local communities.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
16 minutes ago
- Sky News
Israel-Iran live: Eight killed in Israel as Iran breaches Iron Dome; Tehran preparing to leave key nuclear treaty
Explained: What is Israel's Iron Dome? Israel's Iron Dome defence system was penetrated overnight as Iran launched renewed airstrikes, with at least eight people killed and nearly 300 injured. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed to have used a new attack method that caused the multi-layered defence system to target itself. "The initiatives and capabilities used in this operation, despite the comprehensive support of the United States and Western powers and the possession of the most up-to-date and newest defence technology, led to the successful and maximum hitting of the missiles on the targets in the occupied territories," it said. But what is the Iron Dome and how does it work? The Iron Dome is Israel's highly prized air defence system. It uses radar to detect and intercept aerial attacks targeting the country. Mobile launchers and 'battle management centres' It was developed by Israel's state-owned Rafael Advanced Defence Systems with US support. It consists of a series of truck-towed mobile units placed throughout the country. When their radars detect a threat, the information is sent to a "battle management centre" where military personnel analyse it, anticipating its path and impact point, and decide which missile launcher to use to intercept it. Counter missiles are then fired directly at the threat - or near it - so the shrapnel can neutralise it. The dome, known as Kippat Barzel in Hebrew, reacts within a matter of seconds and is manned 24 hours a day. Originally, it was designed to protect cities and strategic sites against missiles with a range of 2.5 to 43 miles, but it is thought to have been expanded. More than 90% effective It has blocked more than 90% of rockets fired towards Israel, with a naval version deployed to protect ships and other assets in 2017. This is at least partly why the number of Israeli deaths in the current fighting with Iran and Hamas has remained relatively low. Soon after it began operating, it became the envy of other militaries. Rafael says it has supplied at least two Iron Dome batteries to the US army, with Ukraine having made a similar request. Saturation point unknown Although extremely effective, it is not perfect. Overnight, a number of cities in Israel were hit by Iranian strikes, leading to several deaths, with more people trapped under the rubble. The dome also has a saturation point at which it would become overwhelmed, but this level is unknown. When fighting between Hamas and Israel broke out on 7 October 2023, 3,000 rockets were fired from Gaza at once. Israel also has medium and long-range defence systems, known as David's Sling, Patriot and Arrow.
The Independent
17 minutes ago
- The Independent
Nuclear agency head warns of radiological and chemical contamination inside Iran's main nuclear site
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said Monday that there is a possibility of both radiological and chemical contamination within Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz following Israeli strikes, although radiation levels outside the complex are presently normal. IAEA director general Rafael Mariano Grossi said that the radiation poses a significant danger if uranium is inhaled or ingested. He added that the risk can be effectively managed with appropriate protective measures, such as using respiratory protection devices while inside the facilities. 'The level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site has remained unchanged and at normal levels, indicating no external radiological impact to the population or the environment from this event,' Grossi said. Grossi was addressing an urgent session of the U.N. nuclear watchdog board in Vienna that was convened at the request of Russia to discuss Israeli attacks against Iranian nuclear facilities. He said there apparently was no additional damage at Natanz and the Isfahan nuclear research site since Saturday. He said that the main concern inside the Natanz facility is the chemical toxicity of a gas called uranium hexafluoride, which is the result of fluorine mixed with the uranium during enrichment. It is extremely volatile, will quickly corrode, can burn the skin and is especially deadly if inhaled, experts say. 'Amid theses challenging and complex circumstances, it is crucial that the IAEA receives timely and regular technical information about the facilities and their respective sites,' Grossi said. Without information, the U.N. nuclear watchdog 'cannot accurately assess the radiological conditions and potential impacts on the population and the environment and cannot provide the necessary assistance.' Grossi said that U.N. inspectors will remain present in Iran and inspect the nuclear facilities 'as soon as safety conditions allow.' He warned that 'military escalation threatens lives, increases the chance of a radiological release with serious consequences for people and the environment and delays indispensable work towards a diplomatic solution for the long-term assurance that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon.' Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press show extensive damage at Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz. The images captured Saturday by Planet Labs PBC show multiple buildings damaged or destroyed. The structures hit include buildings identified by experts as supplying power to the facility. Grossi told the U.N. Security Council on Friday that the above-ground section of the Natanz facility was destroyed. The main centrifuge facility underground did not appear to be hit, but the loss of power could have damaged infrastructure there, he said. Israel also struck a nuclear research facility in Isfahan. The IAEA said four critical buildings were damaged, including an uranium-conversion facility, but there was no sign of increased radiation at Natanz or Isfahan. Grossi on Monday also told the IAEA board of governors that no damage has been seen at the site of the Fordo enrichment site, which is buried under a mountain and protected by anti-aircraft batteries. Fordo appears designed to withstand airstrikes. Grossi also said that the Bushehr nuclear power plant, Iran's only commercial nuclear power plant, has not been targeted nor affected by the recent attacks and neither has the Tehran Research Reactor. Any country on the 35-member board of the IAEA can call a meeting under its rules. The IAEA board last week found Iran in non-compliance with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 year. —- The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. —- Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape:
The National
23 minutes ago
- The National
Scottish university set to become first with India campus
The University of Aberdeen says it has taken a 'significant step forward' in its global expansion plans after India's University Grants Commission gave permission to progress with proposals for a branch campus in Mumbai. It is hoped the campus will be launched in September next year. University bosses say it is the first time a Scottish university has been granted permission for a branch campus in India and the proposal will now go to the university's governing body court for approval next month. READ MORE: Scottish economy 'to outstrip UK, France, and Germany in 2026' – KPMG Professor Siladitya Bhattacharya, vice-principal of global engagement at the University of Aberdeen, said: 'We are excited to progress our global ambitions after the Indian Government gave us approval to proceed with our intention for a campus. 'As a country of over 1.4 billion where 50% of the population are below the age of 25, India has long been a priority area for our global engagement strategy focusing on student recruitment, articulation partnerships, research collaborations and alumni networks. 'The proposed campus aims to empower students, accelerate joint research with Indian partners and contribute to India's dynamic knowledge economy. By combining the University of Aberdeen's research expertise with India's innovation ecosystem, this initiative aims to tackle global challenges while enabling student exchange, faculty collaboration and industry-led innovation. 'We are looking forward to collaborating with our Indian partners to bring this vision to life and further bolster ties between Scotland and India through education and research.' The University of Aberdeen – the fifth oldest in the UK – was granted a Letter of Intent at a special ceremony on Saturday in Mumbai, signalling Government approval for the university's proposed campus. READ MORE: Glasgow region needs 'elected mayor and devolution deal' Aligned with India's National Education Policy 2020, the proposed campus would initially offer programmes in computing and data science, business management, economics and artificial intelligence. There are plans for future expansion into mathematics and international business management and information systems, public health, film studies and psychology. A follow up second phase would see the university aim to establish a research and innovation office on the proposed new campus to expand research collaborations and industry partnerships in areas such as AI, energy and life sciences. Alison Barrett, country director for India at the British Council, said: 'The University of Aberdeen's decision to progress with a campus in Mumbai marks an important moment in deepening the education partnership between India and the UK. 'As the first Scottish university to be granted permission to set up a campus in India, this is more than just an institutional milestone; it underscores how education can serve as a bridge between nations, fostering cultural exchange, mutual respect, and creating global opportunities for students and academics alike. 'We are proud to support initiatives that bring world-class education closer to students in India.'
