Summary

  • Boris Johnson claims the UK's response to the pandemic shows the "sheer might" of the Union

  • During a visit to Orkney the prime minister said he wanted to show that the Union could cope with the "economic consequences" of coronavirus

  • First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says that from tomorrow those who have been shielding in Scotland can go to pubs, restaurants and use public transport

  • In response to questions on the PM's visit, Ms Sturgeon says she will take the best decisions for Scotland and "will not be influenced by politics or constitutional arguments"

  • For a full week, Scotland has recorded no new deaths, as a result of a positive test

  • Education Secretary John Swinney says £50m of funding will be ring-fenced for 850 new teachers and 200 support staff in schools.

Live Reporting

BBC Scotland News

  1. Boris visit, shielding update and reopening schools....

    If you're just joining us here's what's on the agenda today:

    • Boris Johnson is to visit to argue his government's response to the coronavirus pandemic has shown the "sheer might" of the UK union. We'll bring you all the news and reaction to this anniversary trip, we expect a lot!
    • 12.15pm: The Scottish government is due to give updates on plans for reopening schools in Scotland and for people who are shielding - join us for extensive coverage of the briefing
    shieldingGetty Images

    It's thought restrictions will be relaxed next week to allow those shielding to meet people indoors, use indoor shops and public transport

    • 2pm: In a virtual statement this afternoon, the Education Secretary John Swinney will provide details on the progress made towards opening schools full-time from 11 August, with no social distancing between pupils.
    • The government will also give a virtual update on childcare this afternoon

  2. Yikes, has the Holyrood election campaign begun?

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    Is the visit of the prime minister today the opening salvo of the 2021 Scottish Parliament election campaign?

    If so there is a long, long way to go.

  3. Amusement park ordered to close a week after opening

    The owners of an Aberden amusement park said they were "astounded" at Scottish government instructions to close their outdoor rides a week after reopening.

    Codona's Amusement Park said the new coronavirus restrictions could put up to 180 jobs at risk.

    It said it was told that its premises were classed as the same as a travelling funfair.

    The Scottish government said it would move to open Scotland's funfairs "as soon as it is safe to do so".

    CodonasCodonas

    We find the decision to close our outdoor rides astounding, considering outdoor playgrounds are now open with no Covid-19 policies or procedures in place.

    Alfred Codona, Codona's Amusement Park

  4. Here's your coronavirus update from around the UK

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  5. Is there a 'perfect storm' over independence?

    SNP's Westminster leader Ian BlackfordPA Media

    SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford

    Mornings With Jackie Brambles is asking what impact the pandemic has had on the union, as the prime minister visits Scotland today.

    The timing of Mr Johnson's visit comes amid a "perfect storm" over Scottish independence, according to Sir Tom Devine, an emeritus professor of Scottish history at Edinburgh University.

    Sir Tom told BBC Two's Newsnight the union is in its most fragile condition since 1745, and that opinion polling suggesting increasing support for independence in Scotland has been consistent for some time.

    Newsnight's political editor Nick Watt added that a senior SNP source had told him they believed the party's moment "is at last arriving".

    At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, the SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford said Mr Johnson was visiting due to recent polls suggesting support for independence was on the rise.

    Mr Blackford told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the prime minister's message would go down "particularly badly" in Scotland.

    Read more here.

  6. Coronavirus: Boris Johnson says response shows 'might of UK union'

    Mr Johnson will head north of the border to mark the one-year anniversary of taking office as prime ministerPA Media

    Mr Johnson will head north of the border to mark the one-year anniversary of taking office as prime minister

    The response to the coronavirus pandemic has shown the "sheer might" of the UK union, Boris Johnson has said ahead of Thursday's visit to Scotland.

    The trip, a year on since he became PM, will see Mr Johnson meet members of the armed forces and their families.

    He said troops had done "vital work" to support the NHS during the pandemic and praised Treasury job retention schemes.

    But the SNP said the visit showed Mr Johnson was "in a panic" about rising support for Scottish independence.

    Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she had no plans to meet Mr Johnson, but that she would continue work with his government on the "immediate priority" of tackling coronavirus.

  7. What impact has the pandemic had on the union?

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  8. Brandon Lewis: 'UK has protected a million jobs in Scotland'

    Today Programme
    BBC Radio 4

    Brandon Lewis said people should be wary of polling which has suggested increased support for Scottish independence. Instead, he said, Scots should concentrate on the benefits of being part of the UK.

    The reason we were able to put such massive support in for nearly the one million people whose jobs were protected in Scotland - the £4.6bn they had from the Treasury - was because we had the strength of the union, all four nations together.

    Brandon Lewis, Northern Ireland Secretary

  9. Lewis: 'Strength of the four nations of the UK saved businesses'

    Today Programme
    BBC Radio 4

    Brandon LewisGetty Images

    Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis says the UK government was right to suggest that Scotland was only able to weather the coronavirus impact due to the "strength of the union".

    Mr Lewis told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there were question marks over whether an independent Scotland could have bailed out businesses and jobs during the pandemic.

    I'm very clear that, yes, we as a UK were able to put in place unprecedented support that the Chancellor was able to put in place for businesses, individuals, because we are part of an entire United Kingdom.

    Brandon Lewis, Northern Ireland Secretary

  10. Boris heads to Scotland in 'battle to save Union'

    The prime minister's visit is among the stories featured on Scotland's front pages.

    Read More

  11. Scottish Tory leader Carlaw hits back at 'obsessed' Sturgeon

    The leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Jackson Carlaw, says Nicola Sturgeon is "obsessed" with Scottish independence while the UK government is "protecting jobs and energising recovery" during the pandemic crisis.

    He retweeted Ms Sturgeon's earlier tweet to make his point.

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  12. Edinburgh Hogmanay tickets taken off sale

    Tickets for Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street Party have been withdrawn from sale.

    Organiser Underbelly said the event could not take place in its usual way, after the restrictions imposed to deal with coronavirus.

    Edinburgh Hogmanay fireworksPA Media

    Tickets, which have been on sale since the start of the year, would no longer be available.

    People who have already bought tickets will be offered a refund, with a further announcement in August on the Hogmanay programme.

    Read more here

  13. Freelancers: 'Millions are falling through the financial safety net'

    Good Morning Scotland
    BBC Radio Scotland

    stressGetty Images

    The Chancellor has been accused of "turning his back" on many people needing support.

    Delays in grants and loans have meant financial hardship for small businesses, while the furlough scheme has helped larger firms.

    Freelance TV presenter Jodie McCallum told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme "millions" of people were falling through the benefit safety net.

    She said: "We've been campaigning to end this, but the chancellor is not for listening.

    "He has admitted that he has done wrong and that PAYE freelancers don't have a scheme to apply to. Surely the next step is to right that wrong, but instead he just wants to push on to the next stage."

  14. Nicola Sturgeon welcomes Boris Johnson's visit

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  15. Majority of jobs at historic five star hotel in Edinburgh under review.

    WaldorfGoogle

    Hilton, which runs the Caledonian Waldorf Astoria Hotel in the capital's West End, said it needs to lose 65 full-time posts and amalgamate and change the hours of a further 135 jobs.

    The group said it had tried everything to mitigate the impact of coronavirus and the ensuing lockdown.

    The hotel has 290 staff including some casual workers.

    The consultation process, which started on Monday, will end in September.

    Read more here.

  16. Blackford: 'We'd be happy to meet PM'

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  17. Blackford: FM has shown strong leadership while PM 'blusters'

    Today Programme
    BBC Radio 4

    Ian Blackford, the SNP MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, told the Today programme that the actions of his party leader, Nicola Sturgeon, during the pandemic had shown her in a more favourable light compared with Boris Johnson.

    I think what we've demonstrated over the past two months in the areas of devolved responsibility and of public health is that the leadership that has been shown by our first minister is in sharp contrast with the bluster we have seen from Boris Johnson.

    Ian Blackford, SNP leader at Westminster

  18. 'The days of telling Scotland we are too wee or too stupid are over', says Blackford

    Today Programme
    BBC Radio 4

    Boris JohnsonGetty Images

    Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Ian Blackford said Boris Johnson's message about the strength of the union "is going to go down particularly badly in Scotland".

    Is he really saying that any other small nation in Europe and any other part of the world doesn't have the capability to deal with the Covid crisis? I think the days of telling Scotland that we are either too wee, too poor or too stupid really is over.

    Ian Blackford, SNP leader at Westminster

  19. Ian Blackford: UK government 'is boosting case for Scottish independence'

    Ian Blackford

    The SNP's leader at Westminster has dismissed Boris Johnson's claim that the coronavirus pandemic has shown the "sheer might" of the UK union.

    Ian Blackford claimed the prime minister's strategy for shoring up the union was based on little more than sending more UK cabinet ministers on day visits to Scotland..

    He said: "Can I tell the prime minister - the more Scotland sees of this UK government, the more convinced they are of the need for Scotland's independence."

  20. Update on schools reopening and easing of restrictions on those who are shielding

    shieldingge

    The Scottish government is due to give updates on plans for reopening schools in Scotland and for people who are shielding.

    In a virtual statement this afternoon, the Education Secretary John Swinney will provide details on the progress made towards opening schools full-time from 11 August, with no social distancing between pupils.

    The first minister is also expected to discuss advice for those who are shielding during her daily coronavirus briefing at 12:15.

    It's thought restrictions will be relaxed to allow them to meet people indoors, use indoor shops and public transport.