A UK government summit of nations and regions should provide an opportunity to “speak frankly about the big issues facing Scotland,” according to John Swinney.
The SNP First Minister made the remarks as heads of devolved governments and metro mayors arrived in Edinburgh for the first Council of Nations and Regions, chaired by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, today.
Mr Swinney said: “In July, I pledged to work constructively with the Prime Minister to tackle poverty, grow Scotland’s economy and support our public services.
“We know the acute pressures facing public finances and the need to grow the economy.
“This meeting should be an opportunity to speak frankly about the big issues facing Scotland — and the UK — and to discuss the action required to deliver meaningful change.
“I hope to persuade the Prime Minister of the transformative potential of public-sector investment to stop the austerity agenda and attract the type of long-term financial investment required to grow our economy and advance the sectors, and the jobs, of the future.
“The Scottish government stands ready to work in partnership to ensure we are working together to make those opportunities a reality in line with the principles of devolution.”
Not all in his party shared Mr Swinney’s apparent enthusiasm for the talks however, as two of his predecessors — Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf — joined the SNP leader of Glasgow City Council in writing to Sir Keir to demand a place at the table for the city.
Despite Glasgow not having had the status of a city region conferred on it by Holyrood, the letter stated they were “disappointed that representation from the city of Glasgow is being refused, while representatives of several cities in England will attend,” adding that Glasgow “has as much right to attend as any of the English regions.”
A British government spokesman responded: “We will convene leaders — including the Scottish First Minister — at the Council of the Nations and Regions which will focus on delivering growth and investment across the UK.
“There is no equivalent local government structure in Scotland to English regional mayors and we are not including council leaders from England in this forum.
“We respect devolution, so the question on whether there is further devolution to an equivalent level in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish government — that is their decision to take.”
