Celtic leaders doubt Burnham’s devolution drive will go beyond England’s borders

Sources in Cardiff and Edinburgh express skepticism about Andy Burnham's devolution plans, suggesting they may not extend beyond England. Burnham, expected to become prime minister, has focused on devolving power within England, but has made missteps in his engagement with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Celtic administrations are concerned by his limited references to devolution in their nations and a perceived U-turn on reforming the Barnett formula. Leaders in these regions hope for a reset with Westminster but are questioning the substance of Burnham's proposals, particularly regarding the transfer of further powers.

Andy Burnham's potential leadership of the Labour party and his move to Downing Street could significantly impact a £330 million NHS contract with US firm Palantir Technologies. Burnham, formerly the Mayor of Greater Manchester, did not award contracts to Palantir during his tenure, and Greater Manchester's NHS leaders developed their own data analytics infrastructure instead of using Palantir's platform. This stance contrasts with the outgoing Labour administration's approach of actively engaging US AI companies. Burnham's team is reportedly developing an AI strategy that prioritizes British companies, signaling a potential shift in government procurement towards valuing social value and safeguarding data and national interests. Critics have raised concerns about Palantir's origins in defense and intelligence, suggesting a potential conflict with NHS values.