Humza Yousaf has invited Keir Starmer to a meeting, in Edinburgh, to discuss relations between governments at Holyrood and Westminster if Labour wins the next General Election.

The First Minister said he wanted to address independence, economic and societal issues and tackling poverty with the UK Labour leader.

Yousaf has stated his belief that Labour will win the General Election this year and Starmer is going to become Prime Minister, regardless of how many seats Labour wins in Scotland.

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In his letter, Yousaf said: “The meeting would be an opportunity for me as First Minister to make clear my government’s willingness to seek improved ways of working between the Scottish and UK Governments, and my willingness to work together on areas of shared interest where a productive working relationship could help secure important outcomes for the people of Scotland.”

On independence, Yousaf, said: “My government is clear that Scotland’s future is as an independent country in the European Union, and that there is a democratic mandate for a referendum on independence which should be respected.

“I would also be keen to discuss other constitutional matters with you, including your proposals for the House of Lords and the implementation of the recommendations of Gordon Brown’s Commission on the UK's Future.”

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The First Minster wants talks on the two child, tax credit “rape clause”, which he wants scrapped and the Green Prosperity plan.

On the former, he said: “These measures prevent parents from claiming child tax credit or universal credit for a third or subsequent child. It is estimated that scrapping this measure would lift 250,000 children out of poverty across the UK, which as well as removing a social iniquity would in turn have a beneficial effect on the economy by boosting local spending power.”

On the latter, he added: “Scotland’s transition to Net Zero represents a huge economic opportunity for the country, but one which—with the current balance of reserved and devolved matters—will require action to be taken at pace by both governments.

“There are, for example, important discussions to be had about full funding by the UK Government of grid capacity expansion, so that other parts of the UK can benefit from Scotland’s huge renewable energy resources, as well as discussions about energy market reform.”

Meanwhile, Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader, said he does not believe the independence debate will end if his party wins the election.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's The Sunday Show, he said: "I think there's still a raging debate in the country around the constitution, but that is not what this general election is going to be about.

"I've been really clear that I'm not going to turn my back, close my eyes, or shut my ears to any voter in the country, whether they voted Yes or No.

"I want to reach out to people across the country to say 'I understand why so many people have wanted to run a million miles from this rotten Tory Government'."

Sarwar, also said, when asked if a Labour win in Scotland would be taken as an “endorsement of the union: "No, because I want to persuade people that we can make Scotland work within a devolved settlement."