Scotland won’t follow PM’s approach: Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon has said she will continue to use the “stay at home” message to tackle the coronavirus outbreak in Scotland as a rift in the UK-wide response opened ahead of Boris Johnson’s address to the nation.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th May 2020, 11:04 BST
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during First Minster's Questions (FMQ's) in the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during First Minster's Questions (FMQ's) in the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during First Minster's Questions (FMQ's) in the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

Scotland’s First Minister said the first she had heard of “the PM’s new slogan” was in newspaper reports and that she would not be switching her messaging “given the critical point we are at”.

On Sunday morning, Ms Sturgeon tweeted: “The Sunday papers is the first I’ve seen of the PM’s new slogan. It is of course for him to decide what’s most appropriate for England, but given the critical point we are at in tackling the virus, #StayHomeSaveLives remains my clear message to Scotland at this stage.”

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Shortly before Ms Sturgeon’s tweet, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said he hoped all four nations will agree to take the same approach.

“We hope that they will agree to a consistent approach across the country, that’s our strong preference,” Mr Jenrick told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday.

On Monday, the Government will publish a 50-page document outlining to MPs the full plan to cautiously re-start the economy after figures suggested the overall death toll for the UK has passed 36,500.

Meanwhile there are concerns workers may not feel comfortable resuming their roles

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“The trade union movement wants to be able to recommend the Government’s back-to-work plans,” Unison, Unite, the GMB, Usdaw and the Trades Union Congress wrote in a letter to the Observer.

“But for us to do that, we need to ensure that ministers have listened and that we stay safe and save lives at work too.”

Related topics:ScotlandFirst MinisterRobert JenrickSkyBoris JohnsonGovernmentEnglandObserverUnite

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