Swinney to push Starmer on trade talks and visa – Daily Business

First Minister John Swinney will again push for a Scottish graduate visa and a carbon capture development during talks today with the Prime Minister in Downing Street.

Mr Swinney is also expected to raise concerns over the extent to which the Scottish Government was consulted over the US and EU trade talks.

Holyrood has claimed there was minimal contact, while the Scottish Secretary has said there were a number of briefings.

With a new agreement with Brussels secured this week the First Minister will want clarification on what impact it will have on Scottish producers and businesses.

He will urge the Prime Minister on reversing the cut to the winter fuel allowance though he is pushing at an open door as Downing Street has already hinted that changes will be made.

Mr Swinney believes the UK needs a “national mission” to raise living standards and provide people with hope that things will get easier, by which he appears to mean a UK-wide approach.

The First Minister will be in London for a programme of meetings which will include a multilateral with the First Minister of Wales, First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and a plenary session of the Council of Nations and Regions.

He said: “People across the UK are living through a period of huge uncertainty and for some, that is undermining the trust they have in government.

“Cutting the winter fuel payment saw the UK Government breaking promises and removing vital financial support for some of the most vulnerable in our society. Having effectively conceded the argument by announcing a partial U-turn, the Prime Minister should accept the cut was wrong and restore a universal winter fuel payment.”

Mr Swinney will say that universal winter heating payments are being introduced in Scotland, though it was the SNP that first cut fuel payments to pensioners.

“If the UK government want to provide people with hope that things will get easier, the Prime Minister should restore the winter fuel payment as part of a new national mission to raise living standards,” said Mr Swinney ahead of the meeting.

“I will raise this issue with him alongside other critical issues, including our proposal for a Scottish Graduate Visa, Carbon Capture and what impacts recent trade deals will have on Scottish producers and businesses.

“We are willing to work with him and the UK Government, but the question is whether he is willing to work with Scotland and give people hope that a better future is possible.”