FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her phonecall with Prime Minister Boris Johnson over Covid-19 support was "inconclusive".
A spokesperson for the First Minister said that the conversation was "constructive" and the Prime Minister agreed there needed to be "swift engagement" from the Treasury over financial support for struggling businesses.
The Prime Minister is set to hold an emergency Cobra meeting with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford and Northern Ireland’s FM Paul Givan in the coming days.
Sturgeon earlier told journalists at an emergency press briefing on Friday that a previous announcement of “additional funding” from the Treasury has actually left the Scottish Government “worse off”.
READ MORE: Omicron Scotland RECAP: Nicola Sturgeon gives update on Covid restrictions
The First Minister and her Welsh counterpart Drakeford have been calling for the reintroduction of furlough and for funding to be made available to support businesses who may be forced to close in the wake of rising cases.
Earlier, the First Minister had said she hoped for progress in getting Covid financial support during her call with the Prime Minister.
However, in the readout from the call, there is no mention of furlough or any additional cash.
Johnson and the UK Government are under increasing pressure to provide financial support for businesses
Instead a spokesperson for Number 10 said that the two leaders discussed “shared challenges” including “economic disruption” caused by Covid-19.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister and the First Minister agreed on the importance of close collaboration for the benefit of citizens across the UK.
“They discussed the shared challenges including the economic disruption caused by Covid and will continue to work together.
“The Prime Minister confirmed the UK Government will be convening a COBR meeting over the weekend with counterparts from the devolved administrations to continue discussions.”
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A spokesperson for the First Minister said: “The First Minister had a constructive – though at this stage inconclusive – discussion with the Prime Minister. They shared respective views on the current Omicron situation and agreed that it represents a significant threat to health and the economy.
“The First Minister emphasised the extreme urgency of the crisis for businesses in the hospitality, events, culture and related sectors which are already suffering a severe financial impact, and stressed that they needed immediate assurances of support from the Treasury.
"The Prime Minister agreed that there needed to be swift engagement with the Treasury on the immediate action needed, and committed to further talks over the weekend.
The First Minister will take part in a Cobra meeting this weekend with other devolved leaders and the PM
“The First Minister also made clear that the devolved administrations require clarity that additional funding support would be available – and also on how it can be triggered by any or all of the UK administrations – in the event of further protective measures being necessary to tackle the virus in the period ahead.”
We previously told how earlier this week the Treasury pledged support for devolved nations in the wake of rising Omicron cases, which Sturgeon confirmed today has now become the dominant strain in Scotland.
The promised cash then turned out to be funding that would be making its way to Holyrood in the New Year, and was being handed over early.
And, the £268 million the Scottish Government had initially been promised to tackle Covid had been reduced to £220m.
Sturgeon told journalists on Friday that if the government uses the cash, they will then have to work out “how to fill the hole” come January.
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