Nicola Sturgeon says it is "unlikely" we will celebrate Christmas with no limits on people in our houses

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.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Neil Bibby MSP has challenged the Scottish Government to hold an inquiry into covid care homes “now, not later”.The West of Scotland MSP reiterated his call for a public inquiry days after the Scottish Parliament voted in favour of the probe getting underway immediately.The motion was agreed after government officials last week told the Express that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had always committed to an

independence could help safeguard the Union.

Nicola Sturgeon has said it is “highly unlikely” she will tomorrow announce a significant easing of covid restrictions for any part of the country.She said Scotland is in a “far better” position than it was, but noted there still needed to be a big decline in cases.However, she did not rule out tougher restrictions for some areas.The Scottish Government recently announced a five-tier system of restrictions for the country’s local authority areas.The first weekly review will be announced in

The number of people to have died in Scotland since the pandemic began now stands at 3,040.Tomorrow will see the first review of Scotland’s new tiered restriction level, although First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned it is “highly unlikely” these will be eased.

Scottish Government administered child benefit from next week which is intended to help with day-to-day living costs. Nicola Sturgeon said the new payment will help families struggling as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nicola Sturgeon has said the Government is looking at making travel restrictions mandatory.

hospitality premises will be able open across the central belt during the day under changes announced by Nicola Sturgeon.The controversial definition of a cafe is being removed by the Scottish Government, after a backlash, meaning all premises can operate in the day up to 6pm without selling alcohol.At level 2, which currently covers the rest of Scotland, hospitality premises can sell alcohol indoors with a main meal up to 8pm instead of 6pm, allowing scope for evening meals.Hotels and other

coronavirus  deaths in Scotland over the last 24 hours. Statistics released online this afternoon show a further 1,101 Scots have also tested positive for the deadly  virus.

schoolboy who transformed into Nicola Sturgeon for Halloween got the seal of approval from the First Minister herself.The seven-year-old from North Lanarkshire donned his finest wig, heels and purple dress, complete with poppy badge, to dress up as the Ms Sturgeon for Halloween.In a short clip, the funnyman has a go at Scots comedian, Janey Godley's side-splitting voice overs of the coronavirus daily briefings that have gone down a storm wordwide.The 'wee star' from Coatbridge had the FM and

First Minister said the advice to the Scottish Government was that it was not "safe" to lift the curbs.The Government recently implemented a series of temporary restrictions which are due to expire on Monday.Across the country, pubs and restaurants have only been able to open indoors between 6am and 6pm, but no alcohol is allowed to be sold.The hospitality curb is even greater in five health board areas where pubs and restaurants have been closed, apart from takeaways.With a new 5 "tier" system

Get the stories that interest you straight to your inbox every day with our personalised newsletterFirst Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the Scottish Government will introduce a new five-tier coronavirus alert system from next month as a further 1,401 people were diagnosed with the disease.Regions will be designated Tier 0 (the least restrictive), Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 or Tier 4 (close to a full lockdown) from Monday, November 2.MSPs at Holyrood will vote on the plans with talks to take place

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

Hospitality businesses in parts of rural Stirling have been left angered after being forced to close as part of a crackdown on coronavirus across Scotland’s ‘central belt’.Traders in parts of west Stirlingshire and the north of Stirling district have had to join pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels across Stirling in shutting their doors for two weeks as part of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s tighter Covid-19 restrictions to combat the spread of the virus.However, publicans from as far away as

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.

Scottish ministers' handling of coronavirus as markedly better than their UK counterparts.The Survation survey of more than 2,000 Scots - carried out for pro-independence group Progress Scotland - shows 67% believe the Scottish Government is competent, while 70% viewed Boris Johnson's Cabinet as not competent.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also received higher ratings for her handling of the pandemic than the Prime Minister for his.Progress Scotland managing director Angus Robertson said: "This

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.