Flying the flag every day for Britain
A UNION flag will be flown on Government buildings every day to celebrate Britain’s heritage and pride, ministers will announce today.
The move is part of wider plans to promote and protect the Union, especially against rising pressure in Scotland for a second independence poll.
Under current guidance, the flag is only required to be flown on all UK Government buildings in England, Wales and Scotland on special days, such as the Queen’s birthday.
But the flag will now be flown all year round, unless another is being displayed, such as a Welsh or Scottish flag, or a county flag, or another to mark civic pride. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “The Union flag unites us as a nation and people rightly expect it to be flown above UK Government buildings.
“This guidance will ensure that happens every day, unless another flag is being flown, as a proud reminder of our history and the ties that bind us.”
The move comes after BBC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty were accused last week of making fun of Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick for displaying the Union Flag in his office. That sparked a backlash against the corporation. Directorgeneral Tim Davie then said that the BBC is “proud to be British”.
The Government has also cut red tape to allow dual flagging so where organisations have two poles, they can fly the Union Flag alongside another one – perhaps a county or country emblem.
Other flags may also be flown on non-designated days including a saint’s day or county day.
New rules will allow the NHS flags to be flown, without planning permission, alongside the Union flag.
In the US, the national flag is flown all year.Australia also allows its flag to stay up over federal and state parliaments.