Nicola Sturgeon insists schools in Scotland must stay open even in level 4 lockdown areas

will be given jabs at 23 sites across Scotland under the initial phase of a national programme which will eventually see millions of people protected against coronavirus. Among those who will be first in line for the vaccine is Andrew Mencnarowski, a senior staff nurse at the Western General in Edinburgh.

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.

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.

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.

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.

lockdown is working nationally.It comes as daily infection figures dropped to 771 across Scotland and one week after 11 councils, including Glasgow, were ordered into the highest level 4 alert.At Holyrood, Sturgeon said: "The latest data shows that across the country and in most local authority areas the restrictions in place are having an impact."The number of new cases across the country has stabilised in recent weeks.

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

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.

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.

Booker Prize for his debut Shuggie Bain. The First Minister congratulated Stuart after judges unanimously crowned him this year's winner this evening.

Scottish Government has published a list of essential businesses that will be allowed to remain open under level four restrictions. Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday that 11 local authority areas in central and western parts of Scotland will move into the highest tier later this week.