Union Jack flag will be flown on Government buildings every day of the year

The Union Jack will be flown on UK Government buildings every day of the year under plans to celebrate the United Kingdom’s heritage and pride.

Ministers are set to issue new guidance this week to get the world-famous flag displayed all year round – not just on designated days.

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.

Ministers are set to issue new guidance this week to get the world-famous flag displayed all year round – not just on designated days

The new move is being billed as part of wider plans to celebrate and protect the Union – especially against mounting pressure in Scotland for a second independence poll.

And post-Brexit, the Government is also set to require managers of public buildings in England to apply for planning permission if they want to fly the EU flag.

The moves come 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 Jack in his office.

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.

That sparked a backlash from the Corporation and a statement from director-general Tim Davie that the BBC is ‘proud to be British’. 

But last night, Tory MPs suggested the ‘new excellent’ flag guidance should also apply to the Corporation’s many buildings. 

Morecambe MP David Morris told The Mail on Sunday that the BBC ‘could do with a reminder of how the Union Flag is cherished by the British people’.

Officials last night hailed the flag as ‘one of the most recognisable symbols of the partnership between the four constituent nations of the UK’. 

However, sources privately confirmed the Government was not ordering public buildings in Scotland to fly the flag at Scottish government buildings instead of the Saltire.

Ministers also want to cut red tape to allow two flags to be flown on one pole – to allow organisations to highlight local identity alongside national identity – for example by flying the St George’s Cross below the Union Jack on buildings in England, or the Aberdeenshire county flag below the Union flag in Aberdeenshire.

Officials stressed that in Northern Ireland there was specific legislation on arrangements for flag flying from government buildings.