Nicola Sturgeon and Rishi Sunak are set to meet for the first time in person since the Prime Minister replaced Liz Truss in Downing Street last month.
The First Minister has already spoken to Sunak on the phone following his appointment as Conservative leader, however the meeting at the British-Irish Council summit in Blackpool will give Sturgeon the chance to raise some of the biggest issues facing her government.
Sunak will be the first PM to attend the opening of the summit since 2007. Ahead of the gathering Sunak will hold a bilateral meeting with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Sturgeon and the First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford.
Here are three big issues that Sturgeon is likely to raise during their meeting today:
Cost-of-living crisis
The biggest issue facing the country at the moment is the cost-of-living crisis. Both governments have offered support to the help the most vulnerable in society get through the tough winter months.
With the inflation rate of 10.1 per cent the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the cost of some of the cheapest food in supermarkets has risen by nearly two-thirds in the last year, heaping extra pressure on struggling households.
The fiscal statement, to be delivered by the Chancellor next week, is expected to address some of the issues however there will be cuts to public services and potentially rises in taxes.
Sturgeon's government has been forced to make cuts to its budget, therefore it's likely she will ask for more money to be given to Holyrood help the most vulnerable.
Independence referendum
The First Minister is likely to raise the potential of holding another referendum on independence in October next year. Sturgeon announced her intention to hold a vote in October next year, however Sunak's predecessors Boris Johnson and Liz Truss have both refused to allow one to take place.
The Lord Advocate asked the Supreme Court in London to rule if Holyrood can hold a vote without the consent of Westminster. A decision is expected later this year.
Speaking at a party hustings in July during the Tory leadership contest, Sunak set out his firm opposition to an IndyRef2. He told an audience in Leeds: "We're under real risk. The best things we can do are be firm with Nicola Sturgeon about another referendum. We need to make sure that in government in Whitehall that we don't just devolve and forget, which for many years has been the institutional imperative.
“We as UK Government ministers have to be more active in Scotland, we have to be more active about delivering benefits of the Union on the ground to the people in Scotland and working constructively there to do that."
Nurses strike
Nicola Sturgeon may address the nurses strike with Sunak after members of the Royal College of Nursing voted for strike action for the first time in 106 years. The Scottish Government said no new money is available to avert the strike action which is expected to take place later this year.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf pleaded with the UK Government to give more cash to the devolved governments to prevent industrial action. The walkout could lead to disruption to services across the NHS.
Speaking on the BBC today, Yousaf said: "The plea of course I'm making is given that the UK Government are the architects of high inflation costs and this cost crisis.
"For me, I think they have a moral obligation, quite frankly, to put their hand in their pocket and provide more money to the Scottish Government. I know the Welsh Government has made a similar plea to in order for us to be able to afford these record high deals."
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