Nicola Sturgeon defends pub closures after hospitality ‘scapegoat’ claims

@scotgov is handling the pandemic well."Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: “People have made huge sacrifices for months on end, they will be devastated to hear that Christmas as they know it is cancelled this year.

Nicola Sturgeon to ban booze sales in shops in an effort to boost business in bars.Don Lawson, owner of popular Inverness hostelry Johnny Foxes, said such a move would protect jobs in Scotland's already struggling hospitality industry.He wants to see only pubs and restaurants being allowed to sell drinks instead of customers relying on massive supermarket chains.It comes as the First Minister confirmed yesterday that pubs across Scotland are still barred from serving drink indoors for at least

To get the latest news on the coronavirus, sign up to our  newsletter. Nicola Sturgeon is due to give an update on Scotland’s temporary coronavirus restrictions later on Wednesday following a meeting of the Scottish Cabinet.

Get the stories that interest you straight to your inbox every day with our personalised newsletterA new tiered set of lockdown restrictions could come into force across Scotland by November 2.First Minister Nicola Stugeon today confirmed she will meet party leaders to discuss latest thinking on a new strategy.A draft strategic document is set to be published by the Scottish Government later this week.It will include a review of the current testing system, support for businesses and the various

New Zealand general election. Ms Arden won a second term in office as the country's Prime Minister.

Coronavirus cases across Scotland are continuing to rise with the number of deaths creeping up as well. The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday the pandemic 'can't be seen as a contest between health and the economy'.

Nicola Sturgeon has said the battle against coronavirus should not be seen as a contest between protecting health and protecting the economy. The First Minister was speaking as new figures revealed the number of Scots claiming unemployment benefits has more than doubled in the last year.

Jeremy Clarkson has accused Nicola Sturgeon of having a “hatred of the English” as the Grand Tour star slammed Scotland’s coronavirus restrictions. The 60-year-old travelled north of the border with TV pals Richard Hammond and James May to film the latest series of the Amazon Prime show.

Nicola Sturgeon said.As Boris Johnson prepared to unveil the new covid alert levels for parts of England, the First Minister said a similar graded system would be introduced in Scotland after two weeks of local lockdowns currently in place expire.

coronavirus figures. It comes after the first full weekend of pub and restaurant closures across the central belt, and early shutting times around the rest of the country.

Cambuslang after testing positive for covid-19 was due to the illness making her "act out of character". Ms Ferrier had been asked to quit by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford and numerous other colleagues to stand down from her post.

Rishi Sunak is setting out further support for jobs and businesses affected by coronavirus shutdowns. He will detail the next stage of the Jobs Support Scheme before new restrictions are outlined for the hospitality sector.

coronavirus test.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the new figures at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh.It means a total of 2544 have passed away after testing positive for Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic.1246 new cases of coronavirus have been announced across Scotland in the same period.397 people are currently being treated in hospital with six in intensive care.440 new cases were reported in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 306 in Lanarkshire and 192 in Lothian.The alarming trend

Pubs and bars in the central belt will be forced to close under tough new lockdown rules, Nicola Sturgeon has announced. Further restrictions on social life will be imposed across the country as of this Friday at 6pm for at least 16 days as the Scottish Government attempts to put a "brake" on the spread of coronavirus.

coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday. The First Minister said that imposing the next level of measures was 'the most difficult decision point we have faced so far'.

hospitality industry has pleaded with Nicola Sturgeon not to impose a second full lockdown that could see businesses told to close. Hotel and restaurant owners have warned that many will simply not reopen if the Scottish Government orders them to shut for a temporary period this month.

Coronavirus cases have continued to rise across Scotland over the weekend as four deaths were recorded. Nicola Sturgeon said infections are spreading to older people and suggested new restrictions will be considered by experts today and discussed by the government tomorrow.Deputy first minister John Swinney has also said it was a "cause for concern" and warned there could be further restrictions put in place.

“So unless the First Minister provides whatever material the Salmond inquiry requests, as she promised, then she has plainly lied to Parliament.”The Scottish Government has said it “strongly rejects any suggestion of obstruction” in the Alex Salmond inquiry and is seeking to initiate legal proceedings to allow release of papers to the committee.