Glasgow and Edinburgh need our governments to step up on devolution

The Herald Scotland

16-07-2025

The vast majority of the powers to be devolved are, indeed, in the gift of the Scottish Government – and I've made no secret of my view that they need to put more pace behind commitments to empower Scotland's city regions. However, the devolution of powers without funding would still leave city regions in all of our devolved nations without the economic tools available to our English counterparts.
Glasgow City Region partners are clear that we require a flexible integrated settlement, equivalent to those already provided and pipelined for our English peers. These have not generated Barnett consequentials and no equivalent funding has ever been provided to the Scottish Government – therefore it is clear that the resourcing of any devolution deal remains the responsibility of the UK Government.
Across the country, leaders of the UK Core Cities are calling on the UK Government to provide parity of funding support for Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh. They agree that we are being disadvantaged and that the recent UK Spending Review was a missed opportunity to begin to address that inequity.
The inclusive growth proposition that the Glasgow City Region has put to government is as compelling as any that can be made across these islands – and Glasgow and Edinburgh City Regions are among the most economically productive in the UK.
But as David Waite points out in his thoughtful and nuanced article ("Should Glasgow and Edinburgh follow Greater Manchester's lead?", The Herald July 14), we are at risk of losing out by being made a political football.
I'm happy to take the Secretary of State up on his offer to write jointly to the First Minister – but that letter needs to go to the Prime Minister and Chancellor too. Glasgow – and Edinburgh, for that matter – need both of our governments to step up on devolution.
Cllr Susan Aitken, Chair, Glasgow City Region Cabinet, Leader of Glasgow City Council.
Read more letters
A scorching denunciation
We are now well into the 21st century and Kevin McKenna may no longer actually dip his pen into gall, thereby putting any parchment at risk, but it would not be surprising to hear that his computer had burst into flames as he composed his denunciation of NHS Fife ("Sandie Peggie's case against NHS Fife is more important than Supreme Court judgment", The Herald, July 15). Such forensic condemnation and an examination of the potential implications of the outcome of Ms Peggie's tribunal do him great credit.
Not for the first, nor probably the last time, one is left with head-shaking incredulity at the lengths that organisation and similar publicly funded bodies will go to in order to endorse current politically correct dogma.
Bob Scott, Drymen.
• Kevin McKenna's article on the case against Sandie Peggie is one of the most powerful I have read in years and to which I completely extend my support, along with my support for Ms Peggie. It is a complete and utter disgrace that the tribunal still goes on and many of Scotland's "governing class" and cowardly, line-toeing unions should be ashamed.
Angus MacEachran, Aberdeen.
Colour call
It's interesting that England women's football team's kit is red, white and blue. Sadly Scotland didn't qualify for the Euro finals and Wales didn't progress from their group but the Lionesses proudly carry the colours of the United Kingdom. Did the kit designers predict England would be the only team to carry the hopes of the UK forward or was there some confusion over the difference between England and the UK?
Stuart Campbell, Moffat.
Bing is a thing, honest
I have a little niggle re the Word Wheel.
I am addicted to this puzzle, but find that the word "bing" seems to be ignored constantly.
Although it is present often in the wheel, it is never included in the solutions – nor does it even appear in my wee dictionary.
However, most people in the central belt were familiar with the spoil-heaps adjacent to coal-mines. It IS a word.
Elspeth Russell, Hamilton.
Well above par
In response to Alan Fitzpatrick (Letters, July 15) and much as I love the views from Shiskine golf course, may I suggest as an even stronger contender for "best golf course view": that from the 6th tee at Kingussie? The Monadh Liadh to your back, the Feshie hills and the Cairngorms in front, and Strathspey to left and right. Add in the deer and an occasional eagle: beautiful!
Brian Chrystal, Edinburgh.
England's Lionesses in red, white and blue (Image: PA)
Ground the wet blankets
Now that Scotland's weather has reverted to type, with rain forecast for the next 10 days, might I suggest that those who complained about our recent brief spell of Mediterranean-style weather should have their passports confiscated?
Steve Brennan, Coatbridge.
Sweet innocence
The discussion about the merits or otherwise of the Scots language ('Are Scots speakers poorer and less educated? Or could we just be missing an opportunity?', The Herald, July 14, and Letters, July 15) brought to mind an incident about 40 years ago.
My sister was living in London at the time and my mum, dad and I went to see her.
We waited outside as my mum went into my sister's local newsagent and asked for 20 cigarettes, a box of matches, four bars of chocolate and a packet of mints.
Mum came out of the shop looking somewhat bemused and told us that the gentleman behind the counter suddenly looked "awfy embarrassed" and had blurted out for no reason at all that he had a wife. We quizzed her on what she had said to him, to which she informed us that she had simply asked for her items and then added: "Any chance you could give me a poke, son?"
Gordon Fisher, Stewarton.