Resetting ties, UK's Sunak to have private dinner with Scotland's Sturgeon

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will travel to Scotland and meet first minister Nicola Sturgeon on Thursday for a private working dinner, as part of efforts to reset the two nations  strained ties.

Sunak makes his first official visit to Scotland since taking office in October at a time when both countries are struggling with mass strikes, high inflation and a cost-of-living crisis.

The pair will likely discuss Britain s under pressure National Health Service and the economy, and may also touch on topics they disagree on -- Sturgeon s push for a second Scottish independence referendum and Scotland s gender reforms.

Sunak s office said the informal talks would build on their in-person meeting at the British-Irish Council in November, which the British leader described as a chance to rebuild relations.

On Friday they are also due to announce the delivery of UK government funding to create high-skilled green jobs in Scotland.

"It is expected that the meetings ahead of Friday s joint announcement will focus on the shared challenges that people in Scotland and across the rest of the UK face – and how both governments can co-operate meaningfully to ensure that they are jointly delivering for people, their families, and communities," Sunak s office said in a statement.

Under Sunak, ties with Sturgeon have softened. She had criticised his predecessor, Liz Truss, for failing to even call her during her chaotic seven weeks as prime minister.