This week will see leaders from across the UK coming together in Scotland to focus on investment and growth.
With the Prime Minister convening the inaugural Council of Nations and Regions, First Ministers and regional mayors will meet with the government to support the development of new partnerships and the resetting of relationships. This will also give leaders the opportunity to work on how long-term investment can be secured, as growth and living standards across the UK can be boosted.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“I’m determined to bring forward a new era of stability, trust, and partnership with businesses, investors, Devolved Governments, and local leaders to boost the economy and restore the UK’s reputation one of the best places in the world to do business.
“I’ve set out that we will be doing things differently, and that’s exactly why we are delivering our promise to convene the first Council of the Nations and Regions as we work as one team to maximise opportunities ahead of the Investment Summit.
“No more talking shops of the past. Genuine, meaningful, and focused partnership to change the way we do business, redefine our position on the world’s stage, and unlock the whole of the UK’s untapped potential to make everyone, everywhere better off.”

Attending the council will be:
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer
- Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner
- Scottish First Minister John Swinney
- Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan
- Northern Irish First Minister Michelle O’Neill
- Northern Irish Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly
- Mayor of London Sadiq Khan
- Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Nik Johnson
- Maor of the East Midlands Claire Ward
- Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin
- Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham
- Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram
- Mayor of the North East Kim McGuinness
- Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker
- Mayor of the West of England Dan Norris
- Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin also commented:
“This new era of genuine partnership working between the Government and Mayors will help us to unleash the potential of our great regions and boost growth.
“Mayors are champions of their regions at home and abroad, attracting investment, creating good jobs, and putting more money in people’s pockets. Our investments in transport, skills and homes, create the right environment for growth by connecting businesses to the talent and finance they need to succeed.
“Through partnership working and by listening to business, we’ll deliver the long-term investment our country needs to shake off stagnation and face the future with confidence.”
The meeting of the council will also take place three days before the International Investment Summit, with this ensuring that the council not only makes sure that everyone is playing their part in maximising the opportunities presented by the summit, but also that leaders can forge new relationships with outside investors.
Following the inaugural meeting, the council is expected to meet every three months.
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