MORE powers should be handed to local authorities, such as Glasgow, if Scotland votes No in the referendum.

The claim came from Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael who said as well as more powers being devolved to Holyrood he wants local authorities given more scope to deal with specific problems and challenges.

The LibDem MP said the City Deal, where cash is given from Westminster direct to local authorities, is one area where local control and accountability can be strengthened.

Mr Carmichael backed Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who said the LibDems would be the guarantors of more devolution, but he wants to go further.

He said: "The UK Government and the Treasury are working closely with Glasgow City Council and Gordon Matheson offering them a direct deal.

"This could have a profound effect on how we run our cities."

Chancellor George Osborne revealed the City Deal, already available in England, would be extended to Scotland, in his Autumn statement last year.

Glasgow City Council, along with other councils in the Clyde valley, is currently negotiating a deal with the UK Treasury.

The agreement will focus on infrastructure investment, innovation and growth and the labour market and employability.

Council leader Mr Matheson said Glasgow was leading the way in changing how cities are governed. He said: "Britain is overly- centralised and Scotland is more centralised than England.

"And yet wherever in the world there is growth and innovation it is cities and their metropolitan regions that are the economic drivers.

"There is a compelling case for Holyrood and Westminster to devolve greater powers to Scotland's major cities. Glasgow city- region is at the forefront of this radical political shift."

Mr Carmichael said local democracy needs to be strengthened to counter centralising of control in Edinburgh.

He said: "An unintended consequence of devolution has been the drawing up of power from communities to Edinburgh, like the single police force.

"Look beyond the referendum and all three parties advocating a No vote agree more powers will come to the Scottish Parliament, but we should also look at how power comes down from the Scottish Parliament to communities."

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk