Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff, Sue Gray, is set to miss a crucial meeting of regional leaders as she takes a temporary break before resuming her duties in her new role. The meeting, to be convened by the Prime Minister on Friday, will bring together metro mayors and first ministers of devolved administrations for the inaugural gathering of his Council of the Nations and Regions in Scotland. The Prime Minister has announced approximately £24 billion in investments for green projects across Britain, describing it as a show of confidence in the UK ahead of the discussions aimed at driving growth across different regions.
Despite the anticipation surrounding the meeting, Sue Gray, who was recently appointed as the “envoy to the nations and regions,” will not be in attendance as she takes a short hiatus before assuming her new responsibilities. Details regarding her role as envoy have been a topic of discussion this week, with more information expected to be revealed by the Cabinet Office soon. Cabinet ministers have affirmed the strength of the team at Downing Street following the replacement of Ms. Gray with Morgan McSweeney after a period of internal discord and negative briefings.
Ms. Gray, a seasoned former civil servant with extensive experience in Whitehall, cited the intense scrutiny of her position as a potential distraction when announcing her resignation. On Friday, Sir Keir will meet with first ministers, deputy ministers, and regional mayors as part of efforts to improve the interaction between the UK Government and devolved powers and explore ways to enhance business prospects prior to the International Investment Summit scheduled for the following week.
The announcement of around £24 billion in private investment for clean energy projects in Britain was made ahead of the council meeting, with significant commitments from companies like Iberdrola, highlighting their confidence in the country’s policies and economic opportunities. The meeting is seen as a pivotal moment for fostering collaboration between different regions to address key challenges and drive innovation and investment across the UK.
As the government focuses on strengthening ties with the business community, Sir Keir appointed Poppy Gustafsson, former head of a cybersecurity firm, as the new “investment minister” to underscore its commitment to economic growth and collaboration. The Prime Minister has tasked ministers with reviewing how their departments can support the Office for Investment, which will be led by Ms. Gustafsson. The gathering of leaders at the Council of Nations and Regions signals a concerted effort towards partnership and progress for the benefit of all citizens.