BBC Scotland announces U-turn on Nicola Sturgeon briefings and pledges they will be broadcast

coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday. The First Minister said that imposing the next level of measures was 'the most difficult decision point we have faced so far'.

Coronavirus cases have continued to rise across Scotland over the weekend as four deaths were recorded. Nicola Sturgeon said infections are spreading to older people and suggested new restrictions will be considered by experts today and discussed by the government tomorrow.Deputy first minister John Swinney has also said it was a "cause for concern" and warned there could be further restrictions put in place.

Nicola Sturgeon said the Self-Isolation Support Grant, targeted at those on low incomes, is an "important" way of helping people who are helping others.The grant is for people who receive Universal Credit or legacy benefits.SNP Cabinet Secretary Shirley Anne-Somerville confirmed the move in a written answer:She stated: "It is vital that those who are doing their part to limit the spread of COVID-19 are not financially disadvantaged by doing so.

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Nicola Sturgeon was accused of failure to plan for major outbreaks of Covid-19 across Scotland’s university campuses and into wider communities. The First Minister is under pressure just days after term started with more than 1000 students already self-isolating.

link.The First Minister announced the new measures, which include an outright ban on indoor household gatherings.Pubs, bars and restaurants will also be required to close at 10pm from Friday.At the Scottish Parliament, MS Sturgeon said: “We will introduce a strict nationwide curfew for pubs, bars and restaurants.

“Scottish Labour has consistently urged our governments on both sides of the border to get testing and contact tracing working at scale, but a failure to do so during the first lockdown has hampered our national effort to control the virus and stop it spiralling out of control.“Every effort must be made to ensure our testing and tracing system is working effectively and that people have the right financial and practical support to allow them to isolate when necessary."

Ayrshire seven new positive tests have been recorded since yesterday. The total for the region now stands at 1535.At the moment, 73 people are in hospital with coronavirus and 8 people are in intensive care.The First Minister said: "The Scottish Cabinet will meet tomorrow to take stock.

coronavirus in Scotland in the last 24 hours. Nicola Sturgeon confirmed 350 more people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Scotland since yesterday.

coronavirus has been recorded in Scotland in the last 24 hours. Nicola Sturgeon confirmed 203 more people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Scotland since yesterday.

Nicola Sturgeon has been given assurances by the UK Government that access to testing will not be restricted in Scotland while a backlog of cases is dealt with south of the Border. The SNP leader said today she had held constructive talks with Matt Hancock, the UK health secretary, on the subject as public demand for Covid tests continues to grow.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.A second coronavirus death has been confirmed in Lanarkshire in the last two days.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today announced that a person had died from Covid-19 for the second consecutive day in Scotland, both of which were in Lanarkshire.The news comes just days after additional coronavirus restrictions were brought in for people living in Lanarkshire following an increase in cases.Prior to this week,

Nicola Sturgeon said she cannot rule out imposing a curfew for pubs and restaurants if the number of Scots testing positive for Covid continues to rise. UK Government ministers are already considering introducing a 10pm or 11pm curfew on hospitality businesses if local measures are unable to bring the spread of the virus under control in England.

Nicola Sturgeon, has warned Scots of a “despicable” new phone scam involving callers pretending to be working for Test and Protect before asking for people’s payment details. During the daily lunchtime media briefing, the First Minister said scammers are attempting to con people by claiming that payment is needed for a coronavirus test to be accessed.

Greater Glasgow area as it tries to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.Around 1.75 million people living in Glasgow, East and West Dunbartonshire, North and South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, and East Renfrewshire will be banned from having others in their homes for at least another week.The measure goes further than the rule of six which came into force across the rest of the country yesterday.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged people to follow the guidance.She said: "I would ask

broadcast  live following BBC Scotland's decision to scrap it from TV. The BBC announced last week that it will stop broadcasting the Scottish Government’s updates on a regular basis, and instead show them based on their “news value”.

broadcast live following BBC Scotland's decision to scrap it from TV. The First Minister gives updates on the pandemic to millions of people every day live from St.

Scotland today limiting social gatherings to a maximum of six people from two different households.It comes as the number of positive coronavirus cases continues to rise.Over the last 24-hour period a total of 70 people tested for the deadly virus, but Nicola Sturgeon said the figure is likely to change. She raised concern over a serious backlog of lab tests in the UK-wide system.The new rules apply to both indoor and outdoor setting, including in pubs, restaurants, homes and gardens.

Ayrshire MSP has branded BBC Scotland's decision to axe live TV coverage of the First Minister’s briefings as scandalous.Willie Coffey hit out at the broadcaster after announcing that they will instead decide whether to air them based on “editorial merit”.The Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley politician has written to the head of BBC Scotland and urged them to reverse the decision.Hundreds of fresh coronavirus cases are now being recorded each day in Scotland.Ayrshire has also been reporting a