Boris Johnson news – live: Protests on Orkney as PM makes case for union and Nicola Sturgeon accuses him of politicising pandemic
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Boris Johnson has spoken about the merits of the union while downplaying calls for Scottish independence on a visit to Scotland on Thursday.
After the prime minister implied that Scotland's coronavirus response benefited from being part of the UK, Nicola Sturgeon accused of him politicising the pandemic, adding that leaders should not use the crisis as "some kind of political campaigning tool".
Earlier on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon remained firm on her stance about independence, tweeting that the country's future is currently being "decided by politicians we didn't vote for, taking us down a path we haven't chosen".
UK-EU trade deal still possible, says chief UK negotiator
David Frost, Britain's chief negotiator in trade talks with the EU, has said that a deal could be struck in September.
Although he acknowledged that the latest series of talks finished with "substantial areas of disagreement", Mr Frost expressed his belief that a trade agreement was still possible.
"Despite all the difficulties, on the basis of the work we have done in July, my assessment is that agreement can still be reached in September, and that we should continue to negotiate with this aim in mind," he said.
His comments contrast with his counterpart Michel Barnier, who warned the UK on Thursday that a deal was looking "unlikely".
Shielding to end in Scotland from start of August
The shielding of people at higher risk from coronavirus will end in Scotland on 1 August, Nicola Sturgeon has revealed.
The first minister also announced that people in this vulnerable category would be able to meet more people indoors and outdoors rom Friday.
Ms Sturgeon said that "incredible progress" had been made in the country with regards to Covid-19, with only one person dying in Scotland from the virus in the last 15 days.
Scotland's coronavirus death toll stands at 2,491.
Public not expected to report those not wearing masks in shops
Downing Street said it did not expect members of the public to report those who were not wearing masks in shops from Friday due to voluntary take-up of the policy.
The prime minister's official spokesman told reporters: "You've seen over the course of recent months the British public have voluntarily chosen to follow the guidance because they want to help slow the spread of the virus and I'm sure that will be the case with face coverings as well.
"With shops, we would expect them to give advice to customers and remind them that they should be wearing a face covering and I'm sure the overwhelming majority of the public will do so."
Those not wearing their masks properly over both mouth and nose will be "advised as to the right and safest way to wear a face mask" rather than be immediately fined up to £100 for non-compliance, said the Number 10 spokesman.
"That would be the sensible approach," he said.
Some progress made in UK-EU talks, chief negotiator says
Some progress has been made between the UK and the EU but there remains a risk of no deal, the UK's chief negotiator David Frost has said.
Speaking to the media, Mr Frost said: "We have made progress in areas like trade, trade of goods and services, transport, social security co-operation, EU programmes, participation and so on which is good.
"But nevertheless big differences do remain in particular with the familiar questions of the... so-called level playing field and fisheries policy."
He added: "We're in a negotiation. Either outcome is possible. We will work energetically to get a deal but it is possible we won't reach one."
UK-EU talks 'will intensify over summer'
Talks will intensify over the summer between the UK and EU, government sources told the PA news agency.
A senior UK government official involved in the talks said the "only way forward now is to have a textual negotiation to get into the detail", which is scheduled to happen in August and September.
Formal talks are "pre-programmed in" for the week of 17 August and fringe discussions will continue next week.
"I'm sure we will be talking pretty intensely over the second half of August and through to September and see where we get to," the source continued.
"Now that the EU's financial negotiation is wrapped up, they should be able to pay their full attention and I still believe it is a real possibility we could get agreement in September."
Issues over the level playing field, fisheries and a mechanism for resolving trade disputes remain outstanding, the source confirmed.
Johnson faces protests in Scotland
Boris Johnson has faced protests after jetting to Scotland in an attempt to drum up support for the union, writes Kate Devlin.
Before his plane arrived in Orkney, a small group of protesters gathered with signs reading "Hands off Scotland" and "Our Scotland, our future".
Another placard said "Indy Ref Now" in a reference to the growing demand for another referendum on Scottish independence.
Earlier today, the prime minister dismissed claims for another vote by saying that the 2014 referendum in Scotland had been a "once-in-a-lifetime event".
Read more here:
Home Office breaking law by not housing asylum seekers
Asylum seekers are becoming homeless because the Home Office is failing to meet its legal obligation to offer them housing, May Bulman writes in an exclusive for The Independent.
Under the law, the department must proving housing and support for asylum seekers who are waiting to hear about their claims or those who cannot leave the UK after their claims have been denied.
Court orders seen by The Independent show that the government has been informed of its legal duty to provide accommodation for destitute individuals.
Sturgeon accuses PM of politicising pandemic
Scotland's first minister has told Boris Johnson not to politicise the coronavirus crisis after he suggested Scotland's Covid-19 response gained from the UK union, writes Jon Stone.
As Mr Johnson visited Orkney to talk about the strength of the union, Ms Sturgeon told reporters: "I don’t think any of us, and I include myself in this, should be trying to use Covid and the pandemic and the crisis situation we continue to face as some kind of political campaigning tool."
As more than 50,000 people across the UK had died from the virus, she said that leaders should not use it "as some kind of political weapon".
SNP gives Johnson some advice
The SNP has tweeted a few sarcastic recommendations of things Boris Johnson should do before he finishes his "whistle-stop tour" of Scotland on Thursday.
The prime minister, who is described in one post as the "UK Government’s Minister For The Union", should send back some postcards with examples of his "good governance", according to the SNP.
A postcard which appears to be addressed to his chief aide, Dominic Cummings, is included below the message.
A follow-up tweet also recommends that Mr Johnson looks into Scottish university tuition fees, which have been free since 2008.
Timeline of government delay on mandatory face masks
Face coverings must be worn in shops, supermarkets and takeaways from Friday after months of government delay, writes Matt Mathers.
Anyone who breaches the order could be fined up to £100, according to plans outlined earlier this month by health secretary Matt Hancock.
The change in guidance comes more than a month after commuters on public transport first had to wear face coverings.
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