Nicola Sturgeon confirms level four lockdown across Glasgow and surrounding councils

Murdo Fraser claimed the First Minister had "pandered" to republicans in her own party. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived at Edinburgh Waverley station today as part of a whistle-stop tour of the UK, aimed at thanking frontline workers of the pandemic.

First Minister said: "I can confirm that that remains the case, that will be the case."Scotland has a five tier system of coronavirus restrictions and Sturgeon will announce her weekly review tomorrow.Eleven council areas, including Glasgow and North and South Lanarkshire, have been in level four since last month.

pupils from less advantaged backgrounds.An analysis of attendance shows pupils in poorer areas are more likely to have taken time off in the health crisis.Figures at the end of November showed attendance ranged from 85.3% in the most deprived areas to 93.5% in the least deprived.Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said: “This isn’t an easy call, but in the interests of the pupils of Scotland it is time for John Swinney to swallow his pride and cancel the higher and advanced higher

Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.Both north-east councils had been put on notice yesterday but will stay at level two on the sliding scale for Scotland's 32 local authorities."I can confirm that the Scottish Government is not proposing any immediate changes today to the levels that currently apply to each local authority area," Sturgeon said in her weekly statement to the Scottish Parliament."However, I need to be clear that we have been looking and will continue to look very carefully in the days to

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.

five-tier system on Tuesday morning but the First Minister told MSPs in the Scottish Parliament this will be the only change. The majority of Scots remain in the first of three weeks of strict measures that have closed all non-essential shops and prevented travel to other areas.Sturgeon told MSPs that 41 deaths and 771 positive tests have been recorded in the past 24 hours.

pubs and restaurantsBut a week after sending the hint, the Scottish Government said public health advisers were concerned.It means only East Lothian drops to level 2 from 6am today.

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

travel ban is being imposed tomorrow along with closures for non essential shops affecting nearly half the population. The measures attracted a major backlash from businesses who now fear disaster in the normally busy festive season.Sturgeon, at today's coronavirus briefing, said the rate of infection is showing signs of improvement but there are big regional variations.

travel ban will be introduced for millions of Scots as part of the fight against coronavirus.People living in level 3 and 4 areas - the tiers with the most stringent restrictions - must not travel outside their own council area except for "certain essential purposes."Sturgeon also said there must not be any "non-essential travel between Scotland and other parts of the UK."Under the current five-tier system, restrictions on travelling between local authority areas amount to advice only.For weeks,

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

East Kilbride has been plunged into a second lockdown.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Level four lockdown will be coming to Lanarkshire from Friday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.Businesses including hospitality, salons, gyms, hairdressers and non-essential retail will have to close when the new restrictions come into effect at 6am on Friday, November 20.For three weeks, Lanarkshire will be put into the highest level of restrictions used by the Scottish Government before being