Before the flooring boards are fitted do you have to remove the skirting board?

It’s depends if you can slide the new flooring under the skirting when fitting which it hard to do . If not you can cut the flooring 3-5mm away from the skirting and put trim or beading around the room . But it may be easier and look nicer just to remove the skirt and put back after the floor is laid.

If You're happy with Scotia's being fitted to cover expansion gap, and the skirting is new/ good looking you can leave it. Otherwise it might become a bigger project, but sometimes it's worth spending a little bit more. Take a tradesmen to see and explain. Removing old skirting sometimes gives some extra decorating work on walls. By the way, don't try to slide floor underneath it, you won't be able to do that all the way around! Best regards JFM Craft

Ideally yes as it can be a bit of a nightmare to get your board to go back under the skirting and I personally would remove skirting and then refit as it gives you a much neater finish