Nicola Sturgeon coronavirus update LIVE as First Minister says Scots could get vaccine 'by end of 2020'

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.

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

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.

Get the stories that interest you straight to your inbox every day with our personalised newsletterNicola Sturgeon says she hopes to agree a "common framework" for Christmas lockdown across the UK today.But the First Minister warned easing of restrictions in Scotland "might differ" to the rest of the country as key talks take place around the festive break.The First Minister is currently locked in a meeting with leaders from the devolved administrations and Cabinet Office Minister, Michael

Scottish Conservative leader insisted he was "in it to win it" when asked if he had any chance of ousting Nicola Sturgeon in May 2021.

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

Christmas "bauble" over the festive season to allow families to meet indoors. The First Minister coined the pun as she revealed discussions between devolved administrations and the UK Government were being held on easing some lockdown restrictions next month.

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,

Covid-19. Boris Johnson  remains symptom free but is following the instructions after being contacted by NHS Track and Trace.

coronavirus vaccine could be available in Scotland, she hopes people will start receiving jabs before the end of 2020 or "certainly very early next year". Her comments at the Scottish Parliament came after drugs manufacturer Pfizer revealed earlier in the week that its Covid-19 vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing the virus.

Scroll down for all the latest updates on our live blog.Deaths of coronavirus patients in Scotland have reached a six-month high after 64 were recorded in the past in 24 hours, Nicola Sturgeon has said.The overall death toll – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – is now 3,143.Speaking at the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, the First Minister said it is the highest figure since May 6.Despite this, she said stricter coronavirus

education  secretary is under pressure to cancel next year's school exams after Wales decided to scrap them in full. John Swinney  has so far only confirmed limited plans to call off National 5 exams but press ahead with Highers for Scots pupils.

Nicola Sturgeon will make a statement to the Scottish Parliament later today on lockdown levels across the country.The First Minister and her Cabinet will this morning sign off the latest set of restrictions for all 32 local authority areas before they are announced at Holyrood this afternoon.Sturgeon warned Scots yesterday it was "unlikely" there will be an easing of restrictions in any part of the country - but some council areas could see them tightened.A five-tier framework to set local

independence could help safeguard the Union.

Nicola Sturgeon has said it is “highly unlikely” she will tomorrow announce a significant easing of covid restrictions for any part of the country.She said Scotland is in a “far better” position than it was, but noted there still needed to be a big decline in cases.However, she did not rule out tougher restrictions for some areas.The Scottish Government recently announced a five-tier system of restrictions for the country’s local authority areas.The first weekly review will be announced in

Scroll down for all the latest updates on our live blog.Scots can carry on using the Protect Scotland coronavirus app on their phones when they travel to England and Wales.The development follows work to make it compatible in Northern Ireland and territories including Gibraltar.The software was designed to alert users if they have been in close contact with anyone who tested positive.Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the UK Treasury will fund furlough wage payments if Nicola Sturgeon puts Scotland