SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown has said any proposals to reform devolution across the UK must address Scotland’s constitutional future following reports that Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is preparing to unveil plans to hand income tax powers to English mayors.

Reports suggest Mr Burnham will outline proposals aimed at shifting more power away from Westminster by giving greater fiscal responsibilities to England’s regional mayors.

The SNP says any wider discussion about the future of the United Kingdom must also consider Scotland’s constitutional position and the question of independence.

Keith Brown MSP said:

“Andy Burnham is right about one thing, the Westminster system is broken and can no longer be allowed to hoard power in London.

“The UK state is in terminal decline.

“However, his solution to this appears to be tweaking the powers of English regional mayors or setting up a fancy new office in Manchester while he has nothing to say about more powers for Scotland.

“There are pro-independence First Minsters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and there can be no logical discussion about devolution or power in the UK that does not consider that reality.

“With opinion polls demonstrating independence to be the preferred position of the Scottish people, that democratic right for Scotland to decide our own future is not something Andy Burnham or any Westminster Prime Minister can ignore.

“You cannot claim democratic credibility if you do not accept that reality and that is something the Prime Minister must address if he is serious about where power lies on these islands.”