Thousands of civil service jobs could be moved to Scotland if Labour wins a majority at the next General Election, Gordon Brown has said. The former Prime Minister will set out proposals from the Commission on the UK's Future later today, which will look at different ways to devolve more power out of London in a bid to save the Union.
Set up by Labour leader Keir Starmer in 2020, the commission will publish its 155-page report and put forward 40 recommendations to reform the UK. From banning second jobs for MPs to dispersing more civil service jobs from Westminster to Scotland, the aim is to give more powers to the devolved governments to stem support for Scottish independence.
Ahead of the launch in Edinburgh, Brown said: "Today we offer the Scottish people an alternative to the current status quo - a new prospectus to make Britain work for Scotland. A new Britain in which Scottish people feel they are fully valued and which once again gives Scotland the status and power it deserves within the United Kingdom."
Labour has led consistently in the Westminster UK polls following the partygate scandal that eventually led to the downfall of Boris Johnson's premiership. Starmer's party stretched its lead during the shambolic 45 days when Liz Truss resided in No10, while it has retained a 20-point lead since Rishi Sunak took over as Prime Minister.
Towns, cities and regions across the country will be given more powers if Labour is successful at the next election, which is due to take place in 2024, according to Brown who chaired the commission. Brown would like to see and elected and a slimed down House of Lords in order to restore trust in politics.
Starmer is expected to adopt large parts of the commission's work, however he may dilute some of the proposals such the ones on the second chamber. Members of the commission were from across the UK and from different backgrounds, including local government, academia, the legal profession and trade unions.
Other proposals include the creation of a Council of the UK which would be chaired by the Prime Minister and have a remit to examine issues in the four nations. More Scots representation on UK national bodies such as in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, OFGEM and the Bank of England is another proposal while banning foreign money into UK politics.
Brown hopes a Labour win at the next General Election would lead to Scotland having a stronger role in the UK. Speaking ahead of the commission's launch, he said: "In the detail of its recommendations, today’s report shows how Scotland will firstly enjoy a stronger role in the UK, secondly a stronger role in the UK’s economic development, thirdly a stronger status internationally, backed up fourthly by a stronger Scottish Parliament here at home.
"When years ago, we first talked about devolution, it was Scotland alone. Then it was Scotland and Wales. But now we have the whole of the UK favouring decentralisation over centralisation. Scotland played a huge part in building Britain to the benefit of Scotland. We can now play a huge part in rebuilding Britain to the benefit of the Scottish people too.
"From today onwards, the issue is now clear: the debate in Scotland is no longer between change and the status quo. The debate is between an offer of change within the United Kingdom led by Keir Starmer or change by leaving the United Kingdom. And our evidence shows 75 per cent of Scottish people want cooperation between Scotland and the rest of the UK."
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