RISHI Sunak and Nicola Sturgeon are to hold a face-to-face meeting tomorrow.
It will be the first time the two have met since the new Prime Minister took over from Liz Truss just three weeks ago.
Mr Sunak revealed the meeting as he and Ian Blackford clashed over Alister Jack's position during an exchange at Prime Minister’s Questions this lunchtime.
READ MORE: Rishi Sunak urged to sack 'Scotland Office Baron' Alister Jack
He told MPs: "What the Secretary of State and I are jointly focused on is working constructively with the Scottish Government to deliver for the people of Scotland. I'll be pleased to be meeting the First Minister tomorrow, because that, I think, is what the people of Scotland want to see.
The two will meet on the fringes of the British-Irish Council Summit in Blackpool.
Ms Sturgeon spoke to the Prime Minister last month when he phoned her less than 12 hours after taking office.
The prompt call was in stark contrast to his predecessor who never phoned Ms Sturgeon once during her brief tenure.
During the call, Ms Sturgeon underlined her commitment to hold a second vote on independence.
Currently, the Supreme Court is considering a Scottish Government case looking at whether or not parliament in Edinburgh can hold a referendum without the consent of Westminster.
If the ruling goes her way the First Minister hopes to hold a second referendum on October 19 next year.
The First Minister said that if the court refused it would be “the fault of Westminster legislation” and she would fight the next general election as a “de facto referendum” on the single issue of independence.
She reiterated her demands to Mr Sunak in a letter at the end of last month.
Ms Sturgeon told the Prime Minister: “As you know, the Scottish Government was re-elected on a commitment to give people in Scotland the opportunity to vote in an independence referendum.
"That commitment is supported by a substantial majority in the Scottish Parliament. As I indicated last night, it is my intention to honour this mandate.”
Mr Sunak has previously ruled out a referendum. Last week, he told MPs: “What people across Scotland rightly want to see is both their governments working constructively together to improve their lives. That’s what we will do on this side of the House."
The Scottish Government confirmed Thursday’s talks between Ms Sturgeon and Mr Sunak will take place in Blackpool.
A spokesperson said: “Ahead of the 38th British-Irish Council this Friday, the First Minister will hold bilateral talks with the Prime Minister in Blackpool on Thursday afternoon, and take part in a meeting of the Prime Minister and Heads of Devolved Government Council immediately following that.
“The meeting will be an opportunity to discuss the cost-of-living crisis, the need to avoid damaging austerity in the upcoming Autumn Statement, and the importance of respecting the right of the people of Scotland to choose their own constitutional future.”
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