Prime Minister visits Edinburgh

The Scottish Government have issued some photos from inside Bute House where the Prime Minister Theresa May is having talks with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The first visit by the Prime Minister to any country other than England since she took office only two days ago, the purpose is to discuss the effect of the EU Referendum vote.

The Prime Minister planned to use this her first visit since taking office to emphasise her strong personal support for the Union. But she was also expected to affirm the government’s commitment to fully engaging with the Scottish Government in the Brexit negotiations.

Sadly the rain fell as the Prime Minister arrived, but there was a small crowd at one side of Charlotte Square who shouted “Independence for Scotland!” and “What’s your plan Mrs May? Have you got a plan?”

Earlier in the week the First Minister demanded that the UK Government must reassure anyone in the UK already that they will not be forced to move out of the UK when Brexit takes effect.  She said : “Scotland has a fundamentally strong economy and we will continue to work with employers and trade unions to boost productivity, innovative workplaces and inclusive growth. We will pursue every option to protect Scotland’s position in Europe and, by extension, the interests of EU citizens who live and work here.

“I call on the new Prime Minister, Theresa May to give an immediate guarantee that the existing rights of the 173,000 EU nationals in Scotland will be protected.

“In Scotland we have fostered a distinctive and a positive approach to fair work focusing on economic and social benefits for all.

“The European Union has been instrumental in strengthening and protecting workers’ rights and enshrining key employment rights relating to pay, safe working conditions and the right to unionise. I firmly believe that EU membership delivers many social, economic and cultural benefits for individuals, business and communities across Scotland.”