Rishi Sunak hopes to 'strengthen relationship' with Nicola Sturgeon after meeting in Scotland

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Rishi Sunak met with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon this evening as he visited Scotland to announce a new funding package.The Prime Minister, who was meeting Ms Sturgeon for the second time since moving into Number 10 in October, insisted he was looking to "strengthen" his working relationship with the SNP leader.He met Sturgeon behind closed doors at a hotel in Inverness on Thursday evening, before the pair jointly announce millions in UK Government funding on Friday.That cash will "create thousands of high-skilled green jobs, drive growth, potentially bring in billions of private sector investment and provide opportunities for people across Scotland", Downing Street said.Speaking on Twitter tonight, Sunak added: "It was great to be in Inverness today meeting rescue services and hearing more about the life-saving work they do every day."I also sat down with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to discuss the challenges we jointly face and how best to deliver for communities across the UK."Prior to the meeting with Sturgeon, Sunak met some sea scouts, who he toasted marshmallows and made smores with, and visited a helicopter search and rescue base on what was his first visit to Scotland since becoming prime minister.Sunak also spoke of his hope that ministers would be able to "find a way through" and end the disputes which have seen both nurses and ambulance crews south of the border take strike action.Nurses in Scotland have voted for action - but so far no dates for this have been announced.Mr Sunak stressed: "I come from an NHS family, so I am passionately committed to protecting the NHS and I proud that we have invested record sums into the NHS, and of course the Scotland health service is benefiting from that extra