Key dates in Scotland's lockdown as Nicola Sturgeon confirms full-time school return

could create jobs in the south of the country. But the First Minister insisted: “Nobody in the SNP wants to see a border between Scotland and England”.

Join thousands of others in getting the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon vowed to secure the future of the Vale of Leven Hospital on a visit to Alexandria this morning.The SNP politician visited Dumbarton and the Vale earlier today on the campaign trail with local candidate Toni Giugliano, who is hoping to take the party’s first victory in Dumbarton since the creation of the current Scottish Parliament.Just 109 votes separated the SNP’s Gail

Nicola Sturgeon has announced that lockdown will ease across Scotland next week as cases continue to fall.The First Minister said the country would move to Level Three lockdown on Monday, April 26. The SNP leader, at a Scottish Government covid briefig, gave detail of travel between Scotland, England and Wales and the reopening of gyms, non-essential shops and the hospitality sector.

First Minister announced the country will be placed under Level 3 as of Monday which means thousands of non-essential shops and businesses can finally reopen their doors after almost five months of closure.Hospitality businesses will also be able to welcome back customers - but with strict social distancing rules in place - as of April 26, with pub beer gardens able to start selling pints.And there's good news for couples planning to celebrate a wedding with more guests allowed at venues.Scots

beer gardens, with opening hours determined by local licensing laws. The First Minister had previously flagged the April 26th date when she published the Government’s routemap for taking Scotland out of lockdown.

Tuesday that travel restrictions would be lifted earlier than planned to allow people to see their family and friends who may live in different council areas. Among the other rules changes coming into force today six people from six households will be allowed to meet outdoors.

Parliament term, if she is re-elected.The First Minister revealed her plans for a second vote on Scotland's future during the SNP's manifesto launch earlier today.The SNP says it is seeking permission from the Scottish people to hold indyref2 following the devastating coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 10,000 Scots.

today. The First Minister will be joined by Chief Medical Officer Gregor Smith from St Andrew's House as they provide details on planned easing of restrictions across the country.

@scotgov and the people of Scotland - to Her Majesty The Queen and her family." The Palace said in a statement: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh."His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle."Further announcements will made in due course."The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."

indyref2 by the end of 2023 if the country is still “grappling” with covid.She also insisted she would not speak to Alex Salmond after the election and criticised his refusal to blame Russia for the Salisbury poisonings in 2018.Polling suggests the SNP is on course to win an outright majority at next month’s election.A key part of an SNP fourth term would be seeking a joint agreement with the UK Government on a second referendum.She has said she wants a fresh vote on Scotland’s constitutional

former First Minister also hit out at an apparent absence of “will, determination and statecraft” over the last seven years - the period in which Sturgeon has led the country.Salmond launched a new pro-indy party, Alba, in the wake of his bitter fallout with Nicola Sturgeon.Alba’s aim is to secure a “super majority” of pro-independence MSPs and is only contesting the regional List elections for Holyrood.However, despite preaching pro-independence unity, Salmond has criticised his predecessor’s

SNP, even if that was not a Tory.Ross made the comments during a BBC Scotland radio phone-in, after one caller said he was thinking of voting Labour because their candidate had a better chance of unseating the SNP MSP.Asked “should a Conservative vote for Labour, who have a chance of winning?”, the Tory leader replied: “I think, across the country, people should look at their individual constituency and vote for the strongest candidate, which in most cases is a Conservative candidate, to defeat

Scotland. The First Minister made the announcement at her coronavirus briefing at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh earlier today.

Nicola Sturgeon enjoyed her first haircut of the year as lockdown restrictions in Scotland eased, allowing hairdressers and barbers to open. The First Minister got a fresh cut and colour at Julie McGuire’s hair salon in Edinburgh on Monday after months of closures on businesses to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Nicola Sturgeon has announced 'better times lie ahead' as Scots face another 'difficult Easter'. The First Minister said we now have 'hope' in the fight against Covid-19 and urged the country to stay positive.

Alba Party, it could change the balance of power between Scotland and Westminster.Prime Minister Boris Johnson has consistently refused current First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s calls for a second Scottish independence referendum.But Salmond said that if a “super majority” of pro-independence MSPs are elected to Holyrood, a range of options would be available to those who want to take Scotland out of the UK.He suggested Scotland could organise its own referendum in those circumstances, with other

First Minister is “pretending” his comeback bid is about indyref2. He also stepped up his criticisms of Scots Tory leader Douglas Ross by saying he fronts a “game-playing, inward looking, childish opposition”.

SNP. While the election campaign would usually see politicians travel the country speaking to voters, the First Minister said the coronavirus pandemic meant she would instead be "staying home".

party chiefs. The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be joined by Anas Sarwar from Labour, Douglas Ross from the Scottish Conservatives, Willie Rennie from the Lib Dems and Lorna Slater of the Scottish Greens.

Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that a number of rules will be changing to Scotland’s coronavirus lockdown over the coming days. The First Minister has given the green light for the likes of hairdressers and garden centres to reopen from Easter Monday next week.