JOHN Swinney is set to press Keir Starmer to work with him to deliver increased investment into Scotland’s economy during a private meeting on Friday.
The First Minister will meet with the Prime Minister ahead of the inaugural meeting of the council of nations and regions in Edinburgh.
Swinney is expected to call on Starmer to work with the Scottish Government to raise living standards, end austerity and attract private investment to key industries in Scotland.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, 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.
"If we are truly serious about growing our economy and tackling poverty, we must acknowledge the barriers that prevent the Scottish Government advancing our progressive agenda.
“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.
He added: "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.
“We have already shown that public sector investment is a force for good through the measures we have taken in Scotland. We must build on that progress by ensuring the UK economy becomes a vehicle for growth, one that raises living standards and finally eradicates poverty.”
It comes after the newly appointed envoy to the nations and regions, Sue Gray, pulled out of the first meeting of the council of nations and regions.
Gray is reportedly “taking a break” after losing an internal power struggle in Downing Street.
