Keir Starmer has chaired the first meeting of the new Council of the Nations and Regions, with the leaders of the devolved governments and English mayors attending.
The Council brings together First Ministers, Northern Ireland’s First Minister and Deputy First Minister and regional Mayors from across England, as the UK Government
The Prime Minister said he wanted the council to ‘rewire’ the way Westminster related to the rest of the country.
Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham was in attendance, and said he felt it was a ‘historic’ moment.
It is bringing together a level of collaboration that we have never seen before he tells The BBC
Speaking at the outset of the meeting, the Prime Minister told assembled leaders: “This council is a statement of intent on my behalf and on behalf of the Government about the way in which we want to work with all of you.
I think that is as important as the substance of what we discuss, is how we collaborate, how we work together.
“Because the UK is really strong, we’ve got so much to offer, particularly when it comes to growth and investment, but we are a bit complicated.”
