I believe that when Scotland is ready to emerge from lockdown we should do so in lockstep with the UK as a whole.

There are strong, practical reasons why this should happen.

It’s important, as Scotland’s two governments make such onerous, difficult demands on people to stay at home and to stay away from family and friends, that we speak with the same voice.

If we can present a simple, clear, united message, it will be much more effective.

The more we feel we are in this together, the more we will pull together – to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.

A UK-wide approach will also be best for Scottish businesses.

It will help our economy recover as strongly as possible. It will help save as many jobs as possible.

We are, after all, part of the UK economy.

Sixty per cent of Scotland’s trade is with the rest of the UK and as we begin to ease restrictions our businesses will need a level playing field to compete.

So I’m in no doubt that moving forward as one United Kingdom will save lives and save livelihoods.

I’m glad to say that the UK Government and the Scottish Government are in agreement on that broad principle.

Nicola Sturgeon has acknowledged the advantages of taking a UK-wide approach to tackling coronavirus.

She has spoken consistently of the benefits of working together, of the UK remaining in alignment.

We’ve both made the point that coronavirus does not respect borders and the First Minister has been clear it would be wrong for the Scottish Government to issue different guidance ‘just for the sake of it’.

That’s a sentiment I welcome.

Devolution, rightly, gives the Scottish Government a key role in responding to the coronavirus outbreak.

But the ability to do things differently, which is central to devolution, does not, and never has, meant that things must be done differently or are best done differently.

The coronavirus pandemic is a national emergency and has created an unprecedented challenge for the whole of the UK. We should meet the challenge together.

Up to now there have some differences in approach, though most have been minor.

But where differences have been more substantial, the Scottish Government have not made good decisions.

Using Scotland’s share of extra UK Government funding for business support, they created a system that put many firms at a huge disadvantage compared with south of the border.

Even now – after a U-turn forced by an outcry among businesspeople and pressure led by Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw – levels of support for the hard-hit retail, hospitality and leisure sector falls well short of what’s on offer in England.

The Scottish Government has also failed to justify their decision to shut down all building sites apart from hospitals.

South of the border the advice is to continue to go to work, but only where it can be done safely and where you are unable to work from home.

Here, the Scottish Government have decreed no building site can be operated safely. They have not explained why – but we do know the decision is having a disastrous impact on the Scottish building industry.

I applaud businesses, such as the famous shortbread baker Walkers, on Speyside, who used a brief shut down to figure out safe working practices and who are now back up and running as best they can.

They know they must do everything they can to keep their businesses going and so protect the jobs and livelihoods of their workforces. This can only be done if they maintain their share of the market in the UK and further afield.

Our vitally important Scotch Whisky industry has also been at its innovative best to design safe ways of working.

They’ve not only continued to produce and bottle our national drink, they have provided huge quantities of badly-needed hand sanitiser to keep frontline health and care workers safe.

Their effort is a very neat example of protecting people and protecting the economy at the same time.

Let me be clear, we are not yet at the point where we are able to start ‘unlocking’ our society, because we have not yet met our five tests. For now, everyone needs to continue to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. But I am equally clear, when the data shows we can start easing the restrictions we are all currently living with, it will be important to do so as one United Kingdom.

The UK and US governments will today (Tuesday 5 May) start negotiating a UK-US Free Trade Agreement.

The International Trade Secretary Liz Truss and the US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer are launching negotiations via video conference call.

This first round of negotiations will last for approximately 2 weeks and will involve around 100 negotiators on each side.

On the UK side, talks will be led by Oliver Griffiths, with all UK trade negotiations being overseen by Crawford Falconer, DIT’s Chief Trade Negotiation Adviser, formerly New Zealand’s Chief Negotiator and Ambassador to the WTO.

Talks will cover all areas set out in the UK’s negotiation objectives, including goods and services trade, digital trade, investment and supporting SMEs.

Further rounds will take place approximately every 6 weeks and will be carried out remotely until it is safe to travel.

This common-sense approach to negotiations will ensure that talks can progress during the COVID-19 pandemic, while public health and social distancing measures can continue to be respected.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said:

The US is our largest trading partner and increasing transatlantic trade can help our economies bounce back from the economic challenge posed by Coronavirus.

We want to strike an ambitious deal that opens up new opportunities for our businesses, brings in more investment and creates better jobs for people across the whole of the country.

The Prime Minister has been clear that we champion free trade and this deal will make it even easier to do business with our friends across the pond.

As we sit down at the negotiating table today be assured that we will we will drive a hard bargain to secure a deal that benefits individuals and businesses in every region and nation of the UK.

Both negotiating teams have already laid the groundwork for an ambitious agreement through the UK-US Trade and Investment Working Group, which has met six times in the lead up to the talks. They have discussed the full suite of topics typically included in FTAs – allowing talks to quickly get underway.

Government analysis shows a UK-US FTA will benefit every region and nation of the UK, with the greatest benefits in Scotland, the North East and the Midlands. It will also include a dedicated chapter to help the UK’s 5.9 million small businesses.

The UK’s negotiating objectives make clear that any future agreement must protect our NHS and we will continue uphold our high standards on food safety and animal welfare.

The government is committed to a transparent approach to trade negotiations and we will publish a summary of the first round once it has concluded.

Notes to editors

The Department for International Trade published the UK government’s negotiation objectives on 2 March 2020.

The funding, which will be awarded later this year, will help cover core costs such as wages, rent and bills. At the same time, Wales has been chosen for the Government’s first Residential Women’s Centre – an alternative to custody that is focused on rehabilitation for women convicted of low-level crime.

It builds on investment already awarded under the government’s Female Offender Strategy.

By tackling the root causes of offending these services will help divert women away from criminality and out of prison wherever possible.

Justice Minister Lucy Frazer said:

The first £5 million awarded under our Female Offender Strategy has enabled some truly inspirational organisations to expand what they do and support more women in need.

These services have shown great creativity and resilience to continue their support through the lockdown, and I want to reassure them this extra £2.5 million will be available when those measures can be safely relaxed.

I am also delighted to be able to start working with the Welsh Government and our partners to develop the first of our innovative Residential Women’s Centres.

The first Residential Women’s Centre in Wales will provide accommodation for women with complex needs who would otherwise be sentenced to custody.

It will offer services which tackle the underlying causes of offending, such as substance misuse and mental health problems, and enable Welsh women to stay closer to home, benefitting their children and wider family ties – which are known to be key to reducing reoffending.

The service will also provide support for women as they transition from the centre to life back in their communities. 

The Ministry of Justice will now work with the Welsh Government and partners in Wales to identify a provider and site, with the aim of opening the centre by the end of next year.

Allocation of the £2.5 million funding will involve the directors of each regional probation area – who best know their local communities, organisations and challenges. They will assess which types of service are most needed.

This could include services focusing on domestic abuse support, drug and alcohol rehabilitation or which work with a particular group such as women from ethnic minorities or in a specific age range.

The regional probation directors will evaluate bids and make funding recommendations to the Ministry of Justice.

This additional support comes after Chancellor Rishi Sunak last month announced a £750 million package of support to ensure charities across the UK can continue their vital work during the coronavirus outbreak.

Under the government’s Female Offender Strategy, £5.1 million of grants have previously been awarded to 30 different organisations across England and Wales. These have funded the creation of six new women’s centres, specialist domestic abuse workers and essential items for offenders upon leaving prison.

Case Studies of organisations previously awarded funding under the Female Offender Strategy

Trevi, Plymouth

Funding awarded to Trevi enabled it to relocate The Sunflower Women’s Centre in Plymouth into larger premises. The move was completed in March 2019 and within 6 months the number of women using the service increased from around 100 to more than 450.

The centre offers a range of interventions, such as one-to-one support, counselling and therapeutic courses. Offender managers are also located at the centre, enabling women to meet the requirements of their licence while accessing programmes and support. 

Tina, an ex-offender who has battled drug-addiction and now attends the centre, said it has given her a place where she feels safe.

She said: “A women’s-only space is so empowering. It helps me to be the best I can be. I had people believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”

Willowdene Rehabilitation Centre, West Mercia

Willowdene Rehabilitation Centre delivers programmes that address issues including abuse, exploitation, offending and substance misuse.

It used its funding to increase its residential spaces and expand its reach beyond West Mercia to the West Midlands. As a result, 92% of women using the centre successfully complete their programme and are actively engaging in society.

Jane entered Willowdene homeless, addicted to heroin and had 15 previous offences. She had been a victim of domestic abuse for 10 years and had attempted suicide several times. The centre supported her in gaining new skills and qualifications and she left clean from drugs and with a job.

She said: “It has given me the opportunity to live a healthy and happy life, building a foundation to get better, and better myself in life and work.”

The Good Loaf Bakery, Northamptonshire

Good Loaf Bakery used its funding to open an additional café in Kettering where women can gain practical skills and experience in a real work environment, get domestic abuse support and be diverted from the criminal justice system through conditional cautions.

The centre has supported close to 100 women in its first year.

Claire was referred to the centre by her probation manager.

She said: “I was on the road to nowhere but have grown in confidence and my behaviour has changed for the better. I work in the café almost every day and I am able to help others who join and feel like I did when I started.”

Women Out West, Cumbria

MOJ funding supported the creation of West Cumbria’s first Women’s Centre, Women Out West.

In its opening months it saw hundreds of women through its doors. The centre has adapted its service to social distancing measures, meaning it is still able to support nearly 100 women. 

Anne spent almost her entire childhood moving between different care placements. She suffered abuse, which led her to drugs and then crime. She was ultimately referred to Women Out West.

She said:

There is always someone to talk to, it’s like our own little community. I don’t think I could get through things without the support and help from the services.

I have come so far, they tell me that they are proud of me, that makes me cry happy tears as I have never had that before. I am proud of myself and I am moving forward.

Note to Editors

• The complete Female Offender Strategy can be accessed on GOV.UK
• Details of how services can apply for grants will be made available in due course.
• This Residential Women’s Centre announcement comes after the Welsh and UK governments launched a joint Female Offending blueprint last summer which promotes a holistic and rehabilitative approach to divert women away from crime.

• Isle of Wight announced as first phase of new ‘test, track and trace’ programme
• Rollout of NHS COVID-19 App to begin with the island’s NHS and council staff tomorrow, with all island residents to get access from Thursday
• Data privacy and security paramount, with National Cyber Security Centre involved in app development
• The app will be complemented by enhanced contact tracing using existing methods online and over the phone

Isle of Wight residents will be the first to be offered access to a new contact tracing app, as part of government action to test, track and trace to minimise the spread of COVID-19 and move towards safely reducing lockdown measures.

Everyone on the island will receive access to the official NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app from this Thursday, with NHS and council staff able to download from 4pm tomorrow, Tuesday 5 May.

Part of a new test, track and trace programme, the app will work together with enhanced contact tracing services and swab testing for those with potential COVID-19 symptoms to help minimise the spread of COVID-19.

Developed by NHSX, the technology arm of the health service, and a team of world-leading scientists and doctors, the app is designed to significantly speed up contact tracing, helping reduce the chance of the virus spreading by enabling us to rapidly identify people most at risk of infection so they can take action to protect themselves, the people they care about and the NHS.

When someone reports symptoms through the app, it will detect any other app users that the person has been in significant contact with over the past few days, including unknown contacts such as someone they may have sat next to on public transport. The app will be able to anonymously alert these contacts and provide advice, including how to get a test to confirm whether or not they do have COVID-19. Users will be able order tests through the app shortly.

For those who may not have access to the app, or the ability to use a smartphone, there will be an option to report symptoms and order tests in other ways. As the integrated service develops, everyone who reports symptoms, including app users, will also be asked to record recent contacts using an online service (or through a telephone interview if they prefer), so that contact tracers can reach all contacts who may be at risk, whether or not those contacts are app users. Contacts will then be alerted either by the app or by email or telephone, advising them to self-isolate or offering public health advice.

As the test, track and trace programme rolls out nationally, expected in mid-May, Public Health England will oversee the deployment of 18,000 additional contact tracers to support the programme.

This first phase is a major step forward in the government’s next phase of the coronavirus strategy and will improve understanding of how this new integrated approach to test, track and trace will work for the rest of the population.

NHS and council staff will be emailed a download link on Tuesday afternoon. From Thursday the app will then open for all residents on the Isle of Wight. All households will receive a leaflet with clear instructions on how to download and use the app on Thursday, and a targeted marketing campaign will begin on Friday.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

The Isle of Wight is playing a vital role with this pioneering work to help keep Britain safe. This will pave the way for a nationwide roll-out when the time is right.

Coronavirus is one of the greatest challenges our country has ever faced and this app will play a vital role in getting Britain back on her feet.

The app will help control the spread of coronavirus by alerting people they may have come into contact with it and recommending appropriate action.

This ground-breaking technology, combined with our heroic frontline health and social care staff, and both a nationwide contact tracing testing programme will ensure that we remain in the best position to move toward easing the lockdown.

Matthew Gould, Chief Executive of NHSX, said:

Technology can help us get the country back on its feet.

By launching the NHS COVID-19 app we can reduce transmission of the virus by alerting people who may have been exposed, so they can take action to protect themselves, the people they care about and the NHS.

When combined with testing and enhanced web and phone contact tracing, this will help the country return to normality and beat coronavirus.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jonathan Van Tam, said:

By widespread testing those suspected to be infected with coronavirus, tracing their contacts and where appropriate advising them to self-isolate, we can slow the onward spread of the virus. This new app-based system, developed by technology experts in partnership with clinicians and scientists, will run alongside traditional contact tracing by PHE. If uptake and use is widespread it will give us the greatest room for manoeuvre to ease other social distancing measures.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director and Director of Health Protection at Public Health England, said:

Alongside the NHS COVID-19 app, PHE’s phone and web-based contact tracing will be a critical part of the government’s strategy to get the country back on its feet.

Taking these first steps on the Isle of Wight will help us prepare for a scale up of our contact tracing capacity, with an 18,000 strong team ensuring the contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases are followed up and given the information they need.

The government has collaborated internationally and learned from examples of best practice across the world, which has informed the development of a bespoke approach that is right for the unique needs of the UK. The app uses similar Bluetooth low energy technology to that employed by Australia, Norway, and Singapore among others.

The privacy and security of users’ data is a priority and NHSX has involved experts from the National Cyber Security Centre to advise on best practice through the app’s development. Data will only ever be used for NHS care, management, evaluation and research and the NHS will comply fully with the law around its use, including the Data Protection Act.

The Isle of Wight was chosen to trial the project because it has a single NHS trust that covers all NHS services on the island.

Its geography as an island with a sizeable population makes it an ideal place to introduce the NHS COVID-19 app and wider testing service in its initial roll-out period.

Isle of Wight Council leader Dave Stewart said:

On behalf of the island I am very pleased we can be the first place to use this new digital technology in the country.

I have always been keen to ensure we keep our special community safe from the virus but at the same time explore ways to enable us to get back up on our feet and move forward from it. This scheme offers the tightly controlled approach we need to help us do just that.

Widespread tracing and testing holds the key to this ambition and if we are able to help the country move forward then the island will also have done its part in helping government in tackling this virus and re building our lives through safe social distancing when the time is right.

I am sure islanders will rise to the challenge and help avoid post lockdown spread of the virus and keep people as safe as possible.

The ambition of test and trace is to enable the UK to start to come out of some elements of lockdown. This will be a gradual process and our experts are considering how best to do this in a way that keeps citizens safe and protects our NHS.

Background information

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHSX have created some digital assets to support media coverage of the app launching this week.

Download an HMG explainer video for social channels.

Download screenshots of the app without IoW specifics.

Download shots of app on phone in hand.

Isle of Wight residents will be provided with a range of comprehensive information about what this means for them, including advice on how to access and use this new app. Their safety will be of paramount importance during the programme, and the government and NHS are clear that no-one will be put at risk throughout its duration. For example the current social distancing measures will remain in place.

Maggie Oldham, Chief Executive at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said:

Our community’s response to coronavirus has been fantastic and I want to say thank you for everything they have done to protect the NHS and to save lives.

It is good news for the island that we have been chosen as the first site in the UK for this app, we can protect local people and play an important role in the national effort to beat coronavirus.

Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely said:

My priority is to keep islanders safe. I want us to be able to find and isolate the virus here and make our island safe again. If that can happen first in the country, so much the better.

It’s important that we are clear what is happening. I want to reassure islanders that this is not a lifting of lockdown. This first stage is about finding out where the virus is now. This is to protect the NHS and save life.

This is important news for the island. We will be leading the country in terms of using the very latest technology to keep us safe and halt the spread of this wretched coronavirus.

We have a moral duty to protect life now, but we also need to protect life in future. This pilot scheme is an important stage of getting life back to normal in time and I am proud that the island is leading the way.

The app has been designed to give people a simple way to make a difference and to help keep themselves and their families safe. Once someone installs the app, it will start logging the distance between their phone and other phones nearby that also have the app installed using Bluetooth low energy.

This anonymous log of how close people are to each other will be stored securely on their phone. If a user becomes unwell with symptoms of COVID-19, they can choose to allow the app to inform the NHS which, subject to sophisticated risk analysis, will trigger an anonymous alert to those other app users with whom they came into significant contact over the previous few days.

The app will advise the public what action to take if a user has been close to someone who has become symptomatic. The advice on what people should do can be adapted as the context and approach evolves.

Modelling by academics at Oxford University’s Big Data Institute shows that the app has the potential to save thousands of lives, and that for every 1 to 2 people who download the app, an infection could be prevented.