Swinney and Starmer discuss Grangemouth, migration, and economy at meeting

John Swinney met with the Prime Minister to discuss the future of Grangemouth, migration, the economy, and more on Friday.

Swinney travelled to London to attend a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions – a unique forum of devolved government leaders and English mayors.

Starmer was expected to discuss recent international trade deals with India, the United States, and Europe. Leaders also received a briefing on national security.

The First Minister also met with Starmer one-on-one to talk about specific issues relating to Scotland.

Following the meeting, a spokesperson for the Scottish Government said the pair discussed migration, the economy, the future of Grangemouth, and more.

“The First Minister held talks with the Prime Minister where they discussed key issues, including tackling child poverty, migration and growing the economy, not least by investing in Grangemouth, carbon capture and Project Acorn,” the spokesperson said.

“Discussions on international relations included trade deals, Ukraine and Gaza, including the need to end conflict and ensure humanitarian assistance.

“The First Minister also met the First Minister of Wales and the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland to discuss areas of common concern.”

Swinney previously said he would also use the meeting to urge Starmer to take formal action to reverse the UK Labour Government’s controversial winter fuel payment cuts.

Ahead of the meeting on Thursday, Swinney said the first action of the UK Government must be to “accept the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment was wrong and announce a restoration so all pensioners get a payment”.

His statement comes days after Starmer indicated at Prime Minister’s Questions that he wants more pensioners across the UK to be eligible for winter fuel payments following what he called improvements to the economy.

Scottish leaders have called these indications “empty”, and Swinney said he would be pushing for Starmer to make the u-turn more concrete.