Nicola Sturgeon coronavirus update LIVE as First Minister urges caution over Christmas

coronavirus that has been discovered in the UK as 'potentially concerning'. The new variant has been found in the south of England and Sturgeon has said the Scottish Government would 'monitor closely' the situation and consider more 'precautions' if necessary.Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned MPs the number of cases involving the new variant was 'increasing rapidly' with more than 1,000 cases found.

festive "bubble" with a maximum of three households over a five day period from December 23, meaning they can meet up indoors if social distancing rules are followed. But rising infection rates in other parts of the UK - with London on the brink of tighter lockdown - has led to some questioning whether now is the time to relax lockdown restrictions.

John Lennon didn’t make it to No1 when he released the original almost 50 years ago.But Love Island winner Paige Turley will be hoping her cover version of the Beatles legend’s Happy Xmas, War Is Over re-writes the history books.The reality star hopes to make it to the top of the UK charts with the classic 1971 track which peaked at No2 when it was first released.The 23-year-old, who used to date singer Lewis Capaldi, has recorded the song and a music video in support of charity Action for

First Minister said the largest immunisation programme ever seen was a welcome development but added it was still unclear how the world would look by the middle of next year.

Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal tour which today kicked off in Scotland during lockdown. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived at Edinburgh Waverley station on Monday morning as they began their whistle-stop tour of the UK, aimed to thank frontline workers of the pandemic.

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.

direct to your inbox A mum who was left 'scared' by Boris Johnson daily updates has lost half her body weight to protect herself from coronavirus.

one-off bonus.

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.

John Swinney has said SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford made a “mistake” when he publicly accused a photographer of breaking lockdown rules on Twitter. Blackford appeared to suggest English snapper Ollie Taylor had breached lockdown rules by posting a striking photograph of the north of Scotland.

post-Brexit paperwork for fish products.

the relaxed plan, which the First Minister already admits has split public opinion. Sturgeon also repeated confirmation a risk assessment of the new rules has not been carried out.

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.

agreement to allow trave l across the whole of the UK regardless of what lockdown level each area is in at the time. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon backed the plan but told people to "think carefully" before reuniting with relatives and loved ones.

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

follow our blog.The government is meeting with the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to discuss plans to allow families to reunite over Christmas.A Cobra meeting bringing together the UK government and the devolved administrations will be held this afternoon to agree on a four-nation approach to relaxing coronavirus restrictions over the festive period.

coronavirus  vaccine created in the UK can prevent 70.4 percent of people from catching the bug, a new study has found. Oxford University  and AstraZeneca have announced that their jag is effective in preventing people from different age groups from getting sick.

pandemic, says Boris Johnson.The Prime Minister sent a message to the SNP on 'rebuilding' the UK 'from its ravages' in the wake of the pandemic that's killed over 50,000 Brits this year so far.Johnson insisted that this was no time for Scots to contemplate 'division or distraction about our national constitution'.The PM also slammed Nicola Sturgeon for her 'focus on separation' and vented that it 'had to stop'.His address was during a Scottish Conservative virtual conference.It comes days after

coronavirus rules.