苏格兰首席部长约翰·斯温尼与英国首相安迪·伯纳姆同意，威斯敏斯特体制不适用于苏格兰人民，但在独立问题上仍存在分歧。
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham have agreed that Westminster does not work for people in Scotland, while remaining divided over the issue of independence.
在周五于格拉斯哥举行的国家经济委员会（NEC）会议后，斯温尼表示，他将与英国政府合作，探讨向苏格兰进一步下放权力，前提是这些提案能带来经济效益。
Following a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) in Glasgow on Friday, Swinney said he would work with the UK government to explore further devolution of powers to Scotland, provided the proposals deliver economic benefits.
斯温尼在一份声明中说：“虽然首相和我在独立问题上意见不一，但我们确实同意威斯敏斯特体制不适用于苏格兰人民。”
“While the prime minister and I disagree on independence, we do agree that Westminster does not work for people in Scotland,” Swinney said in a statement.
他补充说，他将“以建设性和合作的方式”与英国政府合作下放更多权力，前提是这些提案支持经济增长、提高工资、创造更好的就业机会、商业机会，并有助于应对生活成本。
He added that he would work “constructively and collaboratively” with the UK government to devolve more powers, provided the proposals support economic growth, higher wages, better jobs, business opportunities and help with the cost of living.
斯温尼欢迎英国政府提出的“默认下放”原则，表示伯纳姆已明确表示政府不会绕过苏格兰议会。
Swinney welcomed the UK government’s proposed principle of “devolving by default,” saying Burnham had made it clear that the government would not bypass the Scottish Parliament.
他还表示，期待双方政府共同制定进一步下放权力的计划，旨在促进经济增长。
He also said he looked forward to both governments jointly developing a plan for further devolution aimed at boosting economic growth.
唐宁街的一份声明称，伯纳姆与斯温尼的会晤“极其积极”，形容国家经济委员会的讨论是探讨双方政府如何促进区域赋权、再工业化和经济增长的宝贵起点。
A Downing Street statement said the meeting between Burnham and Swinney had been “extremely positive”, describing the NEC discussions as a valuable starting point for exploring how both governments could contribute to regional empowerment, reindustrialization and economic growth.
声明说，由“10号北方”牵头的“政策冲刺”将推进议程，涉及双方政府的官员。根据声明，英国政府还将审查并回应斯温尼提出的一系列问题。
It said a “policy sprint” led by No 10 North, involving officials from both governments, would now take the agenda forward. The UK government would also review and respond to a range of issues raised by Swinney, according to the statement.
尽管双方在需要更大区域赋权上达成一致，但两位领导人在苏格兰独立问题上仍存在分歧。唐宁街重申了伯纳姆的立场，即第二次独立公投不在考虑范围内。
Despite their agreement on the need for greater regional empowerment, the two leaders remain divided over Scottish independence. Downing Street reiterated Burnham’s position that a second independence referendum was off the table.