Nicola Sturgeon's £500 NHS bonus is being funded by UK Government Covid grant

the First Minister described as “non-essential”, the Prime Minister dismissed demands for a referendum as “completely irrelevant to the concerns of most people”.In an interview for the media pool the Tory leader defended his visit to meet army and health professionals involved in the vaccine roll-out across Scotland.He said: “I’m here in my capacity as Prime Minister of the whole country to thank hard-working officials and public servants across the whole of Britain who are doing fantastic

Boris Johnson expected in Scotland later this week to highlight the role of the armed forces in distributing the covid vaccine across the UK, the First Minister advised him to “work from home”. At her daily briefing Sturgeon said she would “never would be saying that Boris Johnson is not welcome in Scotland”.But she added: “we’re living in a global pandemic and every day right now I stand, look down the camera, and say what I’m about to say.

Keir Starmer said vital lessons were not being learned from the record 100,000 death toll on the Prime Minister’s watch as he accused Johnson of failings.Read the full storyNicola Sturgeon has warned that the UK Government’s looming restrictions on international travel do not go far enough as she urged Scots not to book holidays.The First Minister declined to say what Boris Johnson’s Government would announce today, but insisted her Government is prepared to go further.She said the UK plan was

Boris Johnson’s Government would announce today, but insisted her Government is prepared to go further.She said the UK plan was "minimal", adding that it was the "least" that can be done.A hotel quarantine system aimed at arrivals from high-risk countries is expected to be announced soon by the home secretary, Priti Patel.Johnson reportedly rejected calls for a blanket policy and is instead believed to support a targeted system for a limited number of countries such as South Africa and

First Minister  reacted after opponents again criticised the speed of the massive logistical programme north of the border. In Holyrood, Tory MSP Ruth Davidson claimed 717,000 doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca drugs had been received but more than 400,000 doses have yet to be given to patients.

First Minister reacted after opponents again criticised the speed of the massive logistical programme north of the border. In Holyrood, Tory MSP Ruth Davidson claimed 717,000 doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca drugs had been received but more than 400,000 doses have yet to be given to patients.

The Times reports that it leaves many in a precarious position as they wait to receive the emergency Government funding that was announced to keep businesses afloat.

carried out by the armed forces. UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed the deployment of 98 soldiers over the next 28 days to identify and prepare suitable locations for NHS Scotland to administer the Covid-19 vaccine.

Nicola Shindler, the prominent British drama producer behind hits including BBC One’s Happy Valley and Netflix’s The Stranger, has launched her new ITV Studios production outfit, naming the company Quay Street Productions.

Manori Ravindran International EditorVeteran British drama producer Nicola Shindler has launched a new scripted venture in Quay Street Productions, backed by ITV Studios. Based in central Manchester, the outfit will focus on producing premium drama for the U.K. and international market.

Our Scottish Future - which was set up by the former Labour prime minister - found that only  around 32% of cases north of the Border are being picked up by tests.

Devi Sridhar told Times Radio that although lockdowns are “crude” and “catastrophic” for the economy and mental health one is needed given the prevalence of covid across the UK. She added that a post- lockdown strategy must be put in place to suppress the virus going into the summer.

could be infected, were described by chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty as “really quite a large number indeed”. Tuesday was the eighth consecutive day the UK has recorded more than 50,000 daily cases, with 830 more deaths.Scots NHS staff were left queueing for hours outside Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary after a coronavirus vaccine blunder.

First Minister was involved in four-nation talks on the subject chaired by Michael Gove on Monday night and said there was an agreement further "urgent" discussions would be held in the coming days. The SNP leader reminded Scots today that an effective travel ban is already legally in place across the country, meaning people should not be crossing the border with England unless they have an essential purpose.

In a series of tweets today, Ms Sturgeon said: "The rapid increase in Covid cases, driven by the new variant, is of very serious concern. The steep increases & severe NHS pressure being experienced in other parts of the UK is a sign of what may lie ahead.