Boris Johnson set out how England will exit its nationwide lockdown this week, with schools set to reopen in early March but shops and other businesses due to come later. We speak to Mark Harper, chair of the Covid Recovery Group, about what Tory MPs want to hear from the prime minister. Plus, we examine the Scottish National party's latest push for independence and whether their plan B will run foul of UK law. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Mure Dickie and special guests Conservative MP Mark Harper and Nicola McEwan from Edinburgh University. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh da la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Cheryl Brumley.

Review clips: UK pool, Scottish government

Further reading:

A grim accounting of the UK’s virus mishandling

England lockdown starts to suppress Covid-19, study suggests

Schools in England to remain closed until at least early March

Tory activists hope for Covid ‘bounce’ if curbs are lifted

Independence vote ‘irrelevant’ to most Scots, says Johnson

The battle is under way to save the UK union

There is no cunning wheeze to stop Scottish independence

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