Former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf have criticised Sir Keir Starmer for not inviting Scotland’s cities to the first meeting of the new Council of the Nations and Regions.

The summit of English metro mayors and representatives of devolved administrations will meet in Edinburgh today.

Earlier this week, The Herald revealed that Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken had written to the Scottish Secretary to complain that Scotland’s largest city region had not been invited.

Cosla and the Scottish Cities Alliance have also hit out at the decision not to involve any Scottish councils or cities.

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In a letter to the Prime Minister, Glasgow’s SNP MSPs – including the former first ministers - said they were “disappointed" by the decision to snub the city.

They said: "Ahead of the first meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions, we are writing to express our grave concern that you have chosen to exclude all of Scotland’s local authority leaders, while inviting local leaders from across England.
 
"In particular, we are disappointed that representation from the city of Glasgow is being refused, while representatives of several cities in England will attend. 

"Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, an economic powerhouse and has as much right to attend as any of the English regions.
 
"Similarly, to have no representation from Edinburgh as our capital city, or Aberdeen as the proposed location of GB Energy makes little sense. 

"When this meeting is being held in Scotland, with the aim of improving collaboration across all levels of government, this decision is particularly inexplicable."

(Image: Andrew Milligan/PA)

Responding, a spokesman for the UK Government said: “We will convene leaders – including the Scottish First Minister – at the Council of the Nations and Regions which will focus on delivering growth and investment across the UK.

“There is no equivalent local government structure in Scotland to English regional mayors and we are not including council leaders from England in this forum.

“We respect devolution, so the question on whether there is further devolution to an equivalent level in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Government – that is their decision to take.”

Meanwhile, ahead of the first council meeting — which comes ahead the International Investment Summit next week — Downing Street announced around £24 billion in private investment for Britain’s clean power projects, including Iberdrola – one of Europe’s biggest energy firms – doubling its backing from £12bn to £24bn through Scottish Power over the next four years.

Sir Keir said: “Today’s investments are a huge vote of confidence in this government and our relentless focus to drive growth across the UK.

“Whether you’re in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England – we are creating the conditions for businesses to thrive, and our International Investment Summit will be a springboard for every part of the UK to be an engine of innovation and investment.

“Today I’m convening the first ever Council of Nations and Regions, because it is when we work together in the spirit of genuine partnership, that we can deliver the real change people want to see and improve opportunities for all.”

The Prime Minister will meet John Swinney on Friday morning, before a joint meeting including the heads of the devolved administrations and then the wider summit later in the day.

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Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Swinney said he would stress the importance of public sector investment during his time with the Prime Minister and urge him to “stop the austerity agenda”.

“In July, I pledged to work constructively with the Prime Minister to tackle poverty, grow Scotland’s economy and support our public services,” the First Minister said.

“If we are truly serious about growing our economy and tackling poverty, we must acknowledge the barriers that prevent the Scottish Government advancing our progressive agenda.

“We know the acute pressures facing public finances and the need to grow the economy.

“This meeting should be an opportunity to speak frankly about the big issues facing Scotland – and the UK – and to discuss the action required to deliver meaningful change.”

Mr Swinney is also expected to push for a boost to public spending in the upcoming budget in a bid for cash to filter north of the border, tout Scotland’s economic potential, push for clarity on the Acorn carbon capture and storage facility in Aberdeenshire and the need for a reset on the relationship between the Scottish and UK governments, which was pushed to breaking point in the years the Tories spent in Downing Street.

One notable omission to the First Minister’s planned topics to raise with the Prime Minister is Scotland’s constitutional future, as Mr Swinney looks to drive up support for Scottish independence before pushing for another vote on the issue.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir’s former chief of staff Sue Gray will miss the meeting, despite being the government’s new envoy for the UK's nations and regions.