Nicola Sturgeon announces 45 coronavirus deaths in Scotland amid 1,212 new cases

Nicola Sturgeon will update the nation on Scotland’s five-tier coronavirus alert system later today. Tougher restrictions could be imposed in the north east of the country as public health officials grow concerned over case numbers in recent day.

Scottish Government has announced additional funding that the First Minister hopes will help tackle child poverty this winter. The £100 million support package includes a £100 direct payment to all families with children receiving free school meals - and it’ll be made before Christmas.

the crisis. She said the right to leaving the UK is "inalienable" and taunted Prime Minister Boris Johnson to try to block another pro-independence majority at Holyrood.

festive tradition is the latest in line to fall victim to strict public health rules which already banned Halloween guising and bonfire night gatherings. The Scottish Government has not finalised the rules but carol singing is being reviewed along with other traditions, including popular Santa's grottos for children.Nicola Sturgeon said work is under way shortly after a Boris Johnson spokesman said permission was granted in England.

referendum. Before the first speeches, Sturgeon said she has "never been so certain" Scotland will achieve independence.

First Minister spoke ahead of her party’s annual conference today by telling members she has “never been so certain” the country will achieve independence.Her party is riding high in opinion polls and is widely tipped to win a majority of MSPs at next year's Holyrood election.That could set off a constitutional showdown with Westminster as the SNP uses its mandate to demand an IndyRef2 takes place.While Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly said he will not allow another referendum on

post-Brexit paperwork for fish products.

vote on the constitution. With the Nationalists currently soaring in the polls it means Boris Johnson could face huge pressure to allow an IndyRef2 to take place in the coming years - despite repeatedly saying he would not.

infections, with 1,125 people currently in hospital and 90 being treated in intensive care for Covid-19. It comes as the four UK nations agreed a plan for the festive period.Christmas gatherings will be set at eight people over 12 years old in Scotland - and households should stay two metres apart indoors, according to new official guidance.

coronavirus death toll has hit 3,588, the Scottish Government confirmed earlier today. In the last 24 hours, there has been 44 new recorded deaths, and 880 fresh infections were recorded in the same time period.

coronavirus deaths recorded overnight in Scotland, the Scottish Government confirmed today. In the last 24 hours, there has been 949 fresh infections were recorded in the same time period.

Scottish Government have confirmed.

Scottish Government have confirmed.The latest figures reveal the death toll now stands at 3,496.Another 887 people have also tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of cases to 87,517.The latest numbers show that 1,193 people are being treated in hospital for the virus with 100 in intensive care.Of the new cases, 234 are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 246 in Lanarkshire, and 140 in Lothian.Figures were released by the Scottish Government this afternoon as

coronavirus  death toll has hit 3,459, the  Scottish Government  confirmed today.

Nicola Sturgeon has insisted the benefits of schools staying open “outweigh” their impact on the spread of coronavirus.The First Minister outlined the details of a new report from Public Health Scotland, which found three-quarters of all schools did not report a single case of Covid-19 in the first nine weeks of this term.In total, 1,621 pupils tested positive for the virus during that period, the equivalent of 0.2% of the total cohort.Scotland's largest teaching union has already threatened

Covid in Scotland has risen above 5,000. The First Minister made the grim announcement following the publication of the weekly report on coronavirus by the National Records of Scotland, which tallies all deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned on a death certificate.The SNP leader said there would come a time when a national commemoration to those who died during the pandemic would need to be considered.

level two rules on November 24.The change depends on continued progress, but it was seen as a positive sign while Glasgow and 10 other councils were ordered into the highest level four lockdown.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the plan at the Scottish Parliament as part of the government's weekly review of the five-tier system.She said: "I am pleased to report that East Lothian and Midlothian have both seen a marked decline in infection rates – prevalence in these areas is significantly

Nicola Sturgeon is set to announce the latest update on Scotland's five-tier coronavirus lockdown system today.The First Minister will make a speech to parliament on Tuesday afternoon - with millions likely to be placed under the toughest restrictions.She yesterday warned that areas of the western central belt could be moved to level 4 after cases have remained at a "stubbornly high level".In leaked documents, up to twelve local authority areas could be plunged under stricter lockdown measures

Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to keep schools open in the west of Scotland even in council areas placed at level four.The First Minister today gave her strongest indication yet that several local authorities will this week be moved into the Government's highest level of lockdown - meaning thousands of non-essential businesses will be forced to close.But both primary and high schools will stay open to ensure youngsters can still attend class.It comes as the country's biggest teaching union, the EIS,