Former Scottish MEP David Coburn has savaged Nicola Sturgeon's moves towards Scottish independence, claiming the "the Scottish nationalists have bankrupted us". He issued a warning for those wishing to see an independent Scotland, after claiming the SNP had left Scotland "in a very perilous economic position". This comes amid renewed momentum for the independence campaign, with 54 percent support for breaking away from the UK among recent polls.
On Thursday, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused Boris Johnson of using the coronavirus pandemic “as some kind of political weapon”.
The Prime Minister celebrated the "sheer might" of the union during his first visit to Scotland since last December’s election this week.
He claimed the pandemic would have spelled economic disaster for Scotland had it not been able to rely on the UK Treasury for assistance.
Ms Sturgeon accused Mr Johnson of “celebrating” the pandemic in response.
Over recent weeks, the SNP and its leader Nicola Sturgeon have seen their approval ratings soar, with the outbreak of COVID-19 helping increase support for nationalism. Ms Sturgeon has repeatedly condemned England’s response to the deadly virus.
Support for Scottish independence hit a near five year high last month as around 54 percent of people said they would vote ‘Yes’ to leave the UK.
The Scottish people went to the polls in 2014 and voted to remain part of the UK but Ms Sturgeon is hoping to land another referendum next year once the threat of COVID-19 has gone.
A poll on the Express.co.uk, which ran from midnight to 8am on July 24, asked, ‘Do you think the UK will survive the Sturgeon surge?’
Of the 6,423 people who voted, 81 percent (5,178) believed the UK would survive calls for an independent Scotland.
UK WILL survive Sturgeon surge - poll results (Image: Getty)
Should Scotland be an independent country? (Image: Express)
“The facts speak for themselves. Scotland is in no position to support itself and I’m not convinced the EU would welcome another freeloading nation into their club.”
Another person argued England, Wales and Northern Ireland should have a referendum of whether Scotland should remain part of the UK.
They said: “Once we have left Europe, I believe the English, Welsh and Irish should have a referendum to decide if Scotland should remain part of Great Britain.
“Given their obvious hatred of the English and Westminster, we could save a lot of money by getting rid of them.
Nicola Sturgeon wants second indy ref next year (Image: PA)
“It would be cheaper to put up a hard border between Scotland and the rest of Great Britain.
“They could then get on with whatever they want but will not get any further payments from Westminster.
“It’s called independence, Nicola, something you don’t seem to have understood yet.
“At least making a clean break means we do not have to listen to any more of her awful demands and tantrums."
Brexit talks concluded on Thursday leaving the EU's chief negotiator frustrated at the lack of a deal. Boris Johnson had set July as a possible deadline for a free trade agreement but despite that, the EU has still insisted the areas of divergence still remain. The UK's chief negotiator, David Frost has now conceded to work towards an overarching deal on all aspects of the UK's interaciton with the bloc. The UK had initially wanted a series of agreements covering difference areas of a free trade deal. However, following the talks, Mr Barnier admitted a deal by the end of the year may now be unlikely.
While Mr Frost remained hopeful of a free trade agreement by September the EU hit out at the UK's demand over fisheries.
Mr Barneir said: "The UK is effectively asking for near total exclusion of EU fishing vessels from UK waters.
“That is simply unacceptable.”
The negotiator also demanded any agreement on fisheries must not be at the risk of the EU's fishing industry.
In response, Mr Frost said: “It is unfortunately clear that we will not reach in July the ‘early understanding on the principles underlying any agreement’ that was set as an aim."
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Talks between the two sides ended this week with Michel Barnier admitting a deal now seems unlikely.
In a major concession, David Frost had agreed to work to towards an overraching agreement after previosuly looking to agree a series of minor agreements covering different areas of the trade deal.
Despite the concession, Mr Barnier said: "The UK is effectively asking for near total exclusion of EU fishing vessels from UK waters.
"That is simply unacceptable.”
Mr Forst, in contrast claimed a deal by September may now be possible after missing the July deadline.
He did add that a no deal Brexit may still be possible.
He said: "Although we will continue energetically to seek an agreement with the EU, we must face the possibility that one will not be reached, and we must therefore continue preparing for all possible scenarios for the end of the transition period at the end of this year."
Face coverings are now compulsory for customers in shops in England, after new coronavirus rules came into force within 12 hours of the government issuing guidance on the change.
Coverings are mandatory in enclosed public spaces such as supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, transport hubs, banks and takeaways.
Police can hand out fines of up to £100 to those who do not comply.
But some retailers have insisted they will not enforce the rule.
Sainsbury's and Costa Coffee said their staff will not challenge customers who enter their stores without masks, while Asda said enforcement was the "responsibility of the relevant authorities".
But Waitrose will have staff at the entrance reminding customers of the rule, and Tesco will be selling face coverings at shop entrances.
Greggs and McDonalds said takeaway customers need to wear masks.
Guidance issued by the government on Thursday for England states that staff in premises where face coverings are required are encouraged to take steps "to promote compliance with the law" and can refuse entry to people who do not have a valid exemption under the rules.
However, the government said it was the responsibility of individuals to wear one, and Health Secretary Matt Hancock has urged the public to "play their part" by following the new guidance.
"As we move into the next stage of easing restrictions for the public, it is vital we continue to shop safely so that we can make the most of our fantastic retail industry this summer," he said.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
Police will be able to "use force" to remove customers from shops if they do not wear face coverings, as well as prevent them from entering, according to the College of Policing.
But forces have said they will only be enforcing the rules, including issuing the £100 fines, as a last resort - and officers will not be patrolling premises.
There are exemptions to the new rules for children under 11, those with disabilities or certain health conditions, such as respiratory or cognitive impairments that make it difficult for them to wear a face covering.
Public Health England has warned parents not to buy coverings for babies and young children because of the risk of choking or suffocation.
Masks will not be mandatory in indoor venues that have other safety measures in place, including:
Eat-in restaurants
Pubs
Hairdressers and salons
Gyms and leisure centres
Cinemas, concert halls and theatres
Visitor attractions like museums
Can police make me cover my face?
The Police Federation, which represents front-line officers, says they can't spend their time patrolling thousands upon thousands of outlets.
Shop staff and security guards can already detain shoplifters while waiting for the police to arrive and police leaders hope shop managers will refuse non-mask wearers entry - rather than turning to the police to solve the problem.
Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick has said that police in London would only enforce the wearing of coverings in shops "as a last resort" - if people not wearing a covering refused to leave a shop or became "aggressive".
Retail and trade organisations have criticised the government over the length of time taken for the guidance to be published, after the measure was announced more than a week ago.
Meanwhile, union leaders voiced fears the rules could put workers' safety at risk if there are abusive customers or people who refuse to wear a mask.
The British Retail Consortium called on customers to be "respectful" of the new rules, while UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said takeaway outlets had been left with "a very short time to properly brief staff, prepare signage and take steps to encourage compliance".
According to the government, face coverings should cover the mouth and nose and can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that securely fits around the side of the face without having to be held in place.
The requirement to wear face coverings at transport hubs - railway and bus stations, airports and maritime ports - only applies for those areas which are fully indoors and enclosed.
You are allowed to remove a face covering in certain situations, for example to prove identification in banks or when buying age restricted products.
Face coverings have been compulsory in shops in Scotland since 10 July. Shoppers are not currently required to wear them in Wales or Northern Ireland, although NI will wait until 20 August before deciding whether to make them compulsory.
Coverings are already compulsory on public transport in England and Scotland, as well as most buses, trains and ferries in Northern Ireland. They will be mandatory on public transport in Wales from 27 July.
Face coverings are now compulsory for customers in shops in England, after new coronavirus rules came into force within 12 hours of the government issuing guidance on the change.
Coverings are mandatory in enclosed public spaces such as supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, transport hubs, banks and takeaways.
Police can hand out fines of up to £100 to those who do not comply.
But some retailers have insisted they will not enforce the rule.
Sainsbury's and Costa Coffee said their staff will not challenge customers who enter their stores without masks, while Asda said enforcement was the "responsibility of the relevant authorities".
But Waitrose will have staff at the entrance reminding customers of the rule, and Tesco will be selling face coverings at shop entrances.
Greggs and McDonalds said takeaway customers need to wear masks.
Guidance issued by the government on Thursday for England states that staff in premises where face coverings are required are encouraged to take steps "to promote compliance with the law" and can refuse entry to people who do not have a valid exemption under the rules.
However, the government said it was the responsibility of individuals to wear one, and Health Secretary Matt Hancock has urged the public to "play their part" by following the new guidance.
"As we move into the next stage of easing restrictions for the public, it is vital we continue to shop safely so that we can make the most of our fantastic retail industry this summer," he said.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
Police will be able to "use force" to remove customers from shops if they do not wear face coverings, as well as prevent them from entering, according to the College of Policing.
But forces have said they will only be enforcing the rules, including issuing the £100 fines, as a last resort - and officers will not be patrolling premises.
There are exemptions to the new rules for children under 11, those with disabilities or certain health conditions, such as respiratory or cognitive impairments that make it difficult for them to wear a face covering.
Public Health England has warned parents not to buy coverings for babies and young children because of the risk of choking or suffocation.
Masks will not be mandatory in indoor venues that have other safety measures in place, including:
Eat-in restaurants
Pubs
Hairdressers and salons
Gyms and leisure centres
Cinemas, concert halls and theatres
Visitor attractions like museums
Can police make me cover my face?
The Police Federation, which represents front-line officers, says they can't spend their time patrolling thousands upon thousands of outlets.
Shop staff and security guards can already detain shoplifters while waiting for the police to arrive and police leaders hope shop managers will refuse non-mask wearers entry - rather than turning to the police to solve the problem.
Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick has said that police in London would only enforce the wearing of coverings in shops "as a last resort" - if people not wearing a covering refused to leave a shop or became "aggressive".
Retail and trade organisations have criticised the government over the length of time taken for the guidance to be published, after the measure was announced more than a week ago.
Meanwhile, union leaders voiced fears the rules could put workers' safety at risk if there are abusive customers or people who refuse to wear a mask.
The British Retail Consortium called on customers to be "respectful" of the new rules, while UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said takeaway outlets had been left with "a very short time to properly brief staff, prepare signage and take steps to encourage compliance".
According to the government, face coverings should cover the mouth and nose and can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that securely fits around the side of the face without having to be held in place.
The requirement to wear face coverings at transport hubs - railway and bus stations, airports and maritime ports - only applies for those areas which are fully indoors and enclosed.
You are allowed to remove a face covering in certain situations, for example to prove identification in banks or when buying age restricted products.
Face coverings have been compulsory in shops in Scotland since 10 July. Shoppers are not currently required to wear them in Wales or Northern Ireland, although NI will wait until 20 August before deciding whether to make them compulsory.
Coverings are already compulsory on public transport in England and Scotland, as well as most buses, trains and ferries in Northern Ireland. They will be mandatory on public transport in Wales from 27 July.
The government is aiming to give flu vaccinations to 30 million people in England this year, adding jabs for 11-year-olds and those aged over 50.
The vaccine is currently free for people over the age of 65 and those with certain medical conditions but it is hoped that doubling the reach of the programme will mitigate the impact of COVID-19 this winter.
There are concerns that people could suffer from both COVID-19 and seasonal flu at the same time, and that the NHS could be overwhelmed by a second wave of the coronavirus.
Image:Flu hospital admissions, according to Public Health England
Last year, around 15 million people received the jab for seasonal flu, including pregnant women, people with certain conditions such as kidney disease, asthma or heart disease, along with carers and care home residents.
Free jabs will now also be available for Year 7 children and people living with someone on the NHS shielded patient list. For over-50s the jabs will be phased in, with priority given to high risk groups.
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However, there are concerns not all GP surgeries will have enough fridge space to accept the number of doses they will need.
Reena Barai, a pharmacist in south London, welcomed the expansion of the free jabs but said it would be a "challenge".
More from Covid-19
Ms Barai said working out how to double the number of vaccines will require planning and help from the Department for Health.
She said: "I hope the NHS will support us to make sure we make a success of this… Winter is one of our busiest periods so having to plan how we have time to be in a consultation room to provide flu vaccines, as well as helping people coming into our pharmacy who are coming in with lots of issues, with minor illnesses and minor ailments that they may have already and obviously making sure we maintain a supply of medication will be something that we'll be thinking through."
During the 2019/2020 flu season, 72.4% of people aged 65 and over got their jab in England, as did 44.9% of those in high risk groups aged six months to 64.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has urged people who are eligible to get the flu jab.
He said: "Whether it's for the first time or because you usually receive one, then I would urge you to get it, not just to protect yourself, but to protect the NHS and your loved ones from flu."
Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: "Flu, alongside a second coronavirus wave, could be devastating. That is why Keir Starmer demanded that a comprehensive flu vaccination programme be put in place ahead of the winter, including free vaccinations for the over-50s.
"It's welcome ministers have listened to Labour but they must offer a guarantee that the programme will be offered to all over-50s this winter. We will do all we can locally and nationally to encourage take up of the flu vaccine."
Face coverings are now compulsory for customers in shops in England, after new coronavirus rules came into force within 12 hours of the government issuing guidance on the change.
Coverings are mandatory in enclosed public spaces such as supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, transport hubs, banks and takeaways.
Police can hand out fines of up to £100 to those who do not comply.
But some retailers have insisted they will not enforce the rule.
Sainsbury's and Costa Coffee said their staff will not challenge customers who enter their stores without masks, while Asda said enforcement was the "responsibility of the relevant authorities".
But Waitrose will have staff at the entrance reminding customers of the rule, and Tesco will be selling face coverings at shop entrances.
Greggs and McDonalds said takeaway customers need to wear masks.
Guidance issued by the government on Thursday for England states that staff in premises where face coverings are required are encouraged to take steps "to promote compliance with the law" and can refuse entry to people who do not have a valid exemption under the rules.
However, the government said it was the responsibility of individuals to wear one, and Health Secretary Matt Hancock has urged the public to "play their part" by following the new guidance.
"As we move into the next stage of easing restrictions for the public, it is vital we continue to shop safely so that we can make the most of our fantastic retail industry this summer," he said.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
Police will be able to "use force" to remove customers from shops if they do not wear face coverings, as well as prevent them from entering, according to the College of Policing.
But forces have said they will only be enforcing the rules, including issuing the £100 fines, as a last resort - and officers will not be patrolling premises.
There are exemptions to the new rules for children under 11, those with disabilities or certain health conditions, such as respiratory or cognitive impairments that make it difficult for them to wear a face covering.
Public Health England has warned parents not to buy coverings for babies and young children because of the risk of choking or suffocation.
Masks will not be mandatory in indoor venues that have other safety measures in place, including:
Eat-in restaurants
Pubs
Hairdressers and salons
Gyms and leisure centres
Cinemas, concert halls and theatres
Visitor attractions like museums
Can police make me cover my face?
The Police Federation, which represents front-line officers, says they can't spend their time patrolling thousands upon thousands of outlets.
Shop staff and security guards can already detain shoplifters while waiting for the police to arrive and police leaders hope shop managers will refuse non-mask wearers entry - rather than turning to the police to solve the problem.
Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick has said that police in London would only enforce the wearing of coverings in shops "as a last resort" - if people not wearing a covering refused to leave a shop or became "aggressive".
Retail and trade organisations have criticised the government over the length of time taken for the guidance to be published, after the measure was announced more than a week ago.
Meanwhile, union leaders voiced fears the rules could put workers' safety at risk if there are abusive customers or people who refuse to wear a mask.
The British Retail Consortium called on customers to be "respectful" of the new rules, while UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said takeaway outlets had been left with "a very short time to properly brief staff, prepare signage and take steps to encourage compliance".
According to the government, face coverings should cover the mouth and nose and can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that securely fits around the side of the face without having to be held in place.
The requirement to wear face coverings at transport hubs - railway and bus stations, airports and maritime ports - only applies for those areas which are fully indoors and enclosed.
You are allowed to remove a face covering in certain situations, for example to prove identification in banks or when buying age restricted products.
Face coverings have been compulsory in shops in Scotland since 10 July. Shoppers are not currently required to wear them in Wales or Northern Ireland, although NI will wait until 20 August before deciding whether to make them compulsory.
Coverings are already compulsory on public transport in England and Scotland, as well as most buses, trains and ferries in Northern Ireland. They will be mandatory on public transport in Wales from 27 July.
