PM: UK will ‘go forward together’ despite lockdown splits

Boris Johnson has insisted the UK will “go forward together” out of coronavirus lockdown after facing claims that devolved administrations had been “shut out” of the UK Government’s plans.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons

Nicola Sturgeon has joined the heads of the other devolved administrations in maintaining a ‘stay home’ message and urging non-essential businesses not to restart as the Prime Minister has pushed for the economy to reopen within social distancing restrictions.

At Prime Minister’s Questions, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford told the Commons: "Events on Sunday could not have been more disastrous from this Government. The Prime Minister has made confusion costly.

"Devolved administrations shut out, widespread confusion amongst the public and a total disregard from this Government for workers' safety. Many sadly have seen the images of London buses being packed this morning.

"Will the Prime Minister accept that the clear message in Scotland is 'stay home to protect the NHS to save lives'?"

Mr Johnson insisted the UK will "go forward together”, telling the Commons: "The message throughout the country is of course that you should stay at home if you can, unless there's specific circumstances that we've outlined apply.”

The Prime Minister said there had been good cooperation between the UK and devolved governments throughout the crisis.

"In my experience, it's been intense, it's been going on for days and days and weeks and weeks, and actually I think if you look at the totality of the measures that we're taking as country, there is much more that unites us than divides us and we will go forward together."

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