UK Coronavirus Live: Starmer Accuses Johnson Of “Catastrophic Leadership Failure” Over England Lockdown | Politics

Sir Edward Leigh (Con) invites Johnson to join him for communion at Westminster Cathedral tomorrow to see how churches are observing social distancing and why services should be allowed during the shutdown.

Johnson says the ban on services is only proposed for one month. We must do everything possible to eliminate the virus, he says.

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s Prime Minister says Boris Johnson’s announcement (see 5.34pm) is very welcome, if it really means that the government will fund an 80% license scheme in Scotland after November when it needs it.

She says the Scottish government is seeking “urgent” clarification of what Johnson really meant.

Ruth Davidson, the former Scottish Conservative leader and current Conservative leader in the Scottish Parliament, is confident that Boris Johnson was making a concession to Scotland (and the other delegated administrations as well, presumably) on leave. See 5.34pm.

In the commons Douglas ross, the Scottish Conservative leader, asked if Scotland would be able to access the license plan after November.

Johnson said the licensing scheme was a UK-wide scheme.

If other parts of the UK adopt measures that require the licensing scheme, that is available to them, he said. He said “not just now, but in the future.”

Johnson has already answered a number of questions about this (e.g. watch 4:00 pm), most in identical terms, but it has not been clear whether or not he has been saying that the government would fund a Scotland-only licensing scheme beyond November if Scotland were blockaded but not England. In his response to Ross Johnson he used similar language, but added the new clause “not just now but in the future.” That sounded like a concession.

• Johnson hints that the UK could fund a Scotland-only licensing scheme beyond November.

The next question came from Pete wishart (SNP) said they thought they had just heard Johnson confirm that Scotland could use the licensing scheme after November if necessary.

Johnson said the license was a UK plan and was available to Scotland if needed.

Jessica morden (Lab) asks if license funding will be delayed in Wales, where a lockdown began more than a week ago.

Johnson says the government will support all parts of the UK.

Johnson says “is completely [his] intention ”for the closing to end on December 2.

Stephen McCabe (Lab) asks if the PM has considered giving way to someone with better leadership qualities. “No,” Johnson answer back.

Douglas chapman (SNP) is again asking for guarantees that Scotland can request money from the Treasury for the licensing scheme when it needs it.

Johnson says the license plan is a UK-wide plan. He cites the figures that are already being spent in Scotland and says “more will come”.

Richard Holden (Con) asks for a guarantee that schools will remain open during the closure and that it will end on December 2.

Johnson says the schools will remain open. And the measures will end on December 2.

In an interview with ITV’s Peter Smith, Douglas ross, the new Scottish Conservative leader, said “more objective people” would agree that Nicolas Sturgeon, Scotland’s prime minister, is a better communicator than Boris Johnson.

He also admitted that Johnson was damaging the union’s case. When told that Johnson had -57% approval rating in Scotland and Sturgeon + 49%, and that this was helping the cause of independence, Ross responded:

The people of Scotland cannot be said to be absolutely wrong with the qualifications of their various leaders. We have to reflect on that.

Smith said it was a great admission. “You asked for more for an honest answer,” Ross replied.

Charlotte nichols (Lab) asks if the prime minister will apologize to the people laid off before the leave plan was extended.

Johnson he says that impartial people will think that the government has done its best.

Richard Thomson (SNP) asks about this Sunday Times story about the head of the vaccine task force showing sensitive government data to American investors.

Johnson he says he thanks the people who work for the pro bono government. It does not refer to the substance of the story.

Steve Baker (Con) says that the Public Health Act of 1984 is subject to judicial review. He says the government should pass emergency legislation using the Civil Contingencies Act instead.

Johnson It says the CEC has strict conditions that apply to its use, one of which is that it can only be used if the necessary powers are not available elsewhere. But in this case they are, under the Public Health Law. So it’s not appropriate, he says.