Starmer and Swinney Meet on Scottish Investment

Scottish First Minister John Swinney is set to meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Edinburgh to advocate for increased public sector investment and an end to austerity, as part of the inaugural Council of Nations and Regions. Swinney's calls come in light of criticisms from Auditor General Stephen Boyle, who highlighted the SNP's failure to reform public services and reliance on one-off savings, exacerbating financial strain. During the meeting, Swinney aims to promote the Scottish Government’s energy priorities, including the Acorn carbon capture project, and emphasize the need for collaboration to tackle poverty and boost the economy. Starmer, who has secured £24 billion in private investment for green energy initiatives, aims to reset relationships with devolved nations. However, tensions remain, as local leaders express dissatisfaction over their exclusion from the council. The discussions are framed as crucial for addressing pressing economic issues facing Scotland and the wider UK.