Nicola Sturgeon relaxes household mixing rule in parts of Scotland

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.

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.

coronavirus death toll has hit 3,588, the Scottish Government confirmed earlier today. In the last 24 hours, there has been 44 new recorded deaths, and 880 fresh infections were recorded in the same time period.

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.

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.

the festive season indoors but said it would be for a "small number of days" involving a "small number of households". The SNP leader added that Scots should not feel they had to take advantage of an easing of restrictions - and should consider delaying any visits to friends or family until the spring.

coronavirus deaths recorded overnight in Scotland, the Scottish Government confirmed today. In the last 24 hours, there has been 949 fresh infections were recorded in the same time period.

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

Nicola Sturgeon has insisted the benefits of schools staying open “outweigh” their impact on the spread of coronavirus.The First Minister outlined the details of a new report from Public Health Scotland, which found three-quarters of all schools did not report a single case of Covid-19 in the first nine weeks of this term.In total, 1,621 pupils tested positive for the virus during that period, the equivalent of 0.2% of the total cohort.Scotland's largest teaching union has already threatened

Covid in Scotland has risen above 5,000. The First Minister made the grim announcement following the publication of the weekly report on coronavirus by the National Records of Scotland, which tallies all deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned on a death certificate.The SNP leader said there would come a time when a national commemoration to those who died during the pandemic would need to be considered.

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

Nicola Sturgeon has given her strongest indication yet that Glasgow and much of the west of Scotland will be moved into level four of lockdown this week.The First Minister said the rate of Covid infections in the west were stable but remained "stubbornly high".It means thousands of shops and other non-essential firms - such as hairdressers and all hospitality businesses  - could be forced to close from Friday for an undetermined length of time.The Scottish Government will carry out its weekly

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,

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.

coronavirus in Scotland in the past 24 hours, the Scottish Government has confirmed. The latest figures show there were 1,212 new Covid-19 cases recorded overnight, bringing the total number of positive cases to 77,660 since the pandemic began.

Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed the central belt of Scotland will remain at level three of lockdown following a review of Covid infection rates across the country.The majority of local authorities - including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee - will stay at the same tier they were placed in last month, meaning non-essential shops can stay open.But three council areas - Fife, Perth and Kinross, and Angus - will move up one tier from level two to level three following a rise in Covid infections.There