Prime Minister highlights economic gains as Council of Nations and Regions convenes in London
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has championed a series of new international trade agreements as a transformative step for the UK economy, ahead of a major summit with devolved and regional leaders in London on Friday.
The Council of Nations and Regions — comprising representatives from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Mayor of London, and English metro mayors — is meeting for only the second time since its establishment by the Labour Government last year. The gathering aims to strengthen cooperation between central government and the UK’s devolved administrations and regions.
Sir Keir is expected to use the meeting to encourage regional leaders to leverage the benefits of recent trade agreements with the United States, India, and the European Union, which he said would “improve livelihoods” across the country.
“These trade deals deliver long-term security,” the Prime Minister said. “They will create opportunities for more seamless trade and attract inward investment to grow the economy, making a difference to people’s lives. These changes will be felt everywhere — whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers or higher living standards that will improve livelihoods.”
Key sectors across the UK are set to benefit. Scottish exports such as whisky, salmon, and gin will enjoy reduced tariffs and fewer trade barriers. A new “reset” deal with the EU aims to address the export difficulties Scottish salmon producers have faced since Brexit.
Welsh farmers, meanwhile, are expected to gain significantly from India’s decision to eliminate lamb tariffs, opening new market avenues for meat exports both to India and back into the EU.
Northern Ireland’s whiskey industry is also eyeing growth, as India’s current 150% tariff will be slashed to 75%, with further reductions scheduled to bring the rate down to 40% over the next decade.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, welcomed the news. “Ministers rightly recognise salmon as the jewel in the crown of our world-class produce and its vital role in the economy of coastal communities and across the UK. Securing frictionless access to key markets such as the EU, along with expanding opportunities in India, is crucial to protect our producers from unnecessary barriers like tariffs and red tape.”
However, not all industry voices are as supportive. The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation described the EU agreement as a “horror show”, claiming it fails to address critical issues around sovereign access rights for UK fishing fleets.
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The summit is expected to focus not only on trade but also on the future of artificial intelligence in public services, regional investment, and efforts to raise living standards.
Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, is set to call for a UK-wide mission to tackle inequality and support vulnerable communities. He is expected to press the Prime Minister during bilateral talks on the restoration of the winter fuel payment for pensioners.
“People across the UK are living through a period of huge uncertainty and, for some, that is undermining the trust they have in government,” Swinney said. “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.”
Swinney also intends to raise concerns over a proposed Scottish graduate visa, the future of carbon capture, and the practical impacts of recent trade deals on Scottish businesses.
As regional leaders arrive in London, all eyes will be on how the government balances national economic ambition with local needs, ensuring that the benefits of trade deals reach communities across the UK.
