THE leaders of some of the UK's biggest cities have joined forces in demanding more powers for local authorities, after Scots rejected independence in last week's referendum.

The call came as representatives from Glasgow attended their first meeting of the Core Cities cabinet in Manchester. Glasgow became the first city outside England to join the grouping, for major economic centres, earlier this year.

Council leader Councillor Gordon Matheson called for more powers to be transferred from central government to help create jobs and drive economic growth.

He said: "The decisive no vote in the referendum hasn't just changed Scottish politics. Its impact is resonating across the UK, signalling a major revision of where powers should rest.

"Change is coming. And for Glasgow it can't come soon enough.

"Transferring powers and resources from Whitehall and devolved governments to cities and city regions is the most effective way to achieve economic growth, rebalance an over centralised Britain, and tackle persistent inequalities".

Both Labour and the Conservatives have promised to hand "city regions" more powers and control over budgets as part of a wider constitutional shake-up.

City leaders across the UK believe it will help address London's dominance.

Sir Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester City Council and chairman of the Core Cities cabinet, said: "Scotland voted No to independence, but that's a 'Yes' to devolution.

"That clearly needs to be for the whole of the UK, not one part of it, and any process of handing power back from the centre should work on the principle it should go as far down the ladder as possible."