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October 11, 2024 – 18:49
Glasgow (United Kingdom), Oct 11 (EFE).- The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, chaired this Friday in Edinburgh (Scotland) the first meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions, created to “reconfigure” the collaboration between devolved governments with the London Executive to encourage investment and economic growth across the UK.
The leaders of the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as some mayors of England, participated in the summit.
In his opening speech, the British Prime Minister said the Council, which is expected to be held twice a year, is a “statement of intent” on behalf of himself and his Government about how they want to work together.
Starmer stressed that economic growth is the “number one mission” of his Government and that collaboration between the different nations and regions of the country is key to achieving that objective.
“But the question is not the aspiration, but whether we can get to work and work together to achieve that growth, because that unlocks many things,” he added.
For his part, Scottish First Minister John Swinney urged Starmer to secure more investment for Scotland in the next budget, especially in public services and infrastructure, considering them crucial for the region’s growth.
Swinney also used the occasion to request funding for the carbon capture and storage (CCUS) project in Aberdeenshire (east of Scotland), which the UK government has overlooked in its ambitious plan for this technology.
Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan also demanded more funding to improve rail services, claiming the country has been unfairly treated in this area.
Morgan called the meeting “very useful” and highlighted the importance of continuing to find solutions to boost economic growth and investment.
The distribution of powers between the different governments of the United Kingdom has generated tensions in recent years, especially between the central and Scottish governments, due to debates around Brexit and the possibility of a second independence referendum, which Starmer has already confirmed. which will not support.
The British Government has promised a “reset” of these relations, a commitment to which Swinney has also adhered.
The inaugural meeting also discussed major investments in renewable energy technology across the UK ahead of an International Investment Summit in London next Monday, attended by leaders of Britain’s historic nations. EFE
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