| Sunak and Sturgeon set for Lancashire talks Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon are to hold their first face-to-face talks today - in Lancashire. Thursday’s talks between the two leaders in Blackpool are expected to focus on the cost-of-living crisis, with Ms Sturgeon likely to stress the importance of avoiding “damaging austerity” measures in the UK Government’s upcoming Autumn Statement. The meeting will take place ahead of the of the British Irish Council meeting – which brings together senior figures from administrations across the UK. With Ms Sturgeon hoping to hold a second vote on independence in October 2023, she will also use the talks to highlight the “importance of respecting the right of the people of Scotland to choose their own constitutional future”, the Scottish Government said. FULL STORY | 
