Nicola Sturgeon 'very hopeful' phase 2 of easing lockdown in Scotland will start next week

Nicola Sturgeon is set to release the latest coronavirus figures in Scotland after the death toll rose by three over the last 24 hours. Figures from the National Records of Scotland will also be released later today which will show the number of people who passed away when Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

coronavirus  meaning the hospital death toll has hit 2,485. The number of positive cases of  Covid-19  has risen to 18,251, an increase of 10 on yesterday’s figures.

First Minister will announce later whether Scotland has went five days in a row with no new coronavirus deaths.

safe at work in an open letter to the First Minister. The GMB union sent a petition to the Scottish Parliament on behalf of more than 1700 people who fear their lives are at risk.

quarantine restrictions on people who come to Scotland from other parts of the UK. The First Minister said the Government had “no plans” in this area, but insisted “all options” had to be considered if there was a spike in covid cases south of the border.

coronavirus lockdown continues. Zoos and safari parks will also be allowed to open their doors to the public, however only for members of the public who live closeby.

Nicola Sturgeon has said her "relief" that no new Covid-19 deaths have been recorded in Scotland for three days running is "enormous". The First Minister took to Twitter to share the good news over the latest figures but said she still felt an "anxiety" as the country aims to keep the virus under control.

Nicola Sturgeon is set to face the media again today as Scotland slowly moves out of the coronavirus lockdown. The First Minister revealed the number of confirmed dropped to five yesterday - the second day in a row it was in single figures.

the dark days of the Thatcher era. The SNP leader said she recalled the social and economic impact a lack of jobs for young Scots had caused when she was growing up in Ayrshire during the 1980s when Margaret Thatcher was in power.

coronavirus restrictions. At her briefing yesterday, Sturgeon said there will be "further details on the timing".

Boris Johnson.The First Minister hinted progress has been made exactly three months to the day since the whole country was shut down.Sturgeon was speaking at her daily briefing on the day the Scottish Government sets out changes to its back-to-school plan.Meanwhile in England, Boris Johnson announced major changes by cutting the two-metre rule in half and confirming pubs, hairdressers and restaurants will open south of the border next month.The rules are not changing in Scotland - but Sturgeon

unemployment, Nicola Sturgeon’s chief economic adviser warned today.Benny Higgins set out the scale of the challenge in a report calling for an overhaul of the economy and government powers to get the country back on track.His advisory group told the First Minister lockdown has spawned more inequality by allowing higher earners to work from home while low earning, essential workers “have put their health and that of their families at risk”.Young people have suffered “learning loss”, with the

Nicola Sturgeon 'announces' that ‘the pumping can begin’. The First Minister announced that Scotland would be moving into phase two of the Scottish Government’s roadmap out of lockdown earlier today.

Coronavirus lockdown restrictions in Scotland are to be eased further, with people who live on their own or only with children under 18 able to form an “extended household group” from tomorrow.

far-right " group clashing with police and protesters in Glasgow by saying "racist thugs shame Scotland". Police Scotland said six arrests had been made "so far" following the disturbance in the city's George Square on Wednesday evening.

Nicola Sturgeon has been challenged to "move heaven and earth" to ensure pupils can return to schools in Scotland on a full-time basis in August. The First Minister was accused by opposition party leaders of passing the buck on school reopenings to local authorities - and giving parents "mixed messages" on when education will resume for youngsters.

Nicola Sturgeon has said she is optimistic that in 10 days Scotland could be in a position to move to the next phase of easing lockdown restrictions.The First Minister reminded Scots the virus is “in retreat, but not gone” and added the country was at a “crucial juncture” where it could yet “roar back with a vengeance”.The SNP leader was speaking after it was revealed that no new deaths from Covid-19 had been recorded north of the Border for the second day in a row.But she warned that further

Nicola Sturgeon has said. The First Minister confirmed she is optimistic that in 10 days the country could start to make more headway in its attempts to ease restrictions.She said the nation was now at a “crucial juncture” in its long running fight against the virus.

Nicola Sturgeon says she might have joined Scots in protesting racism over the US death of George Floyd had it not been for coronavirus. With a number of demonstrations planned across the country, the First Minister doubled down on calls for demonstrators to make their voices heard virtually and avoid risking a spread of the deadly bug.

independence “as soon as possible” - but her focus is on tackling the coronavirus crisis. At her daily media briefing, the First Minister looked forward “normality” when the country can start discussing constitutional debate again.