Nicola Sturgeon warns Christmas easing of restrictions in Scotland will be 'slight'

East Kilbride schoolgirl hopes to draw a line under a ‘gloomy’ 2020 after winning Nicola Sturgeon’s festive card competition.Sophie Blackett was one of 700 children across Scotland to submit artwork for the First Minister’s official Christmas card this year.Nicola Sturgeon was on the hunt for a design that “represents kindness” for the 2020 card.The 10-year-old's design celebrated the hard graft Scots citizens have put in to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus across the country.Her

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First Minister said the largest immunisation programme ever seen was a welcome development but added it was still unclear how the world would look by the middle of next year.

tight travel rules since the end of November. Glasgow and 10 neighbouring areas had been in the highest level 4 but will all drop down to level 3 on Friday.

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.

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.

Scottish Government has announced additional funding that the First Minister hopes will help tackle child poverty this winter. The £100 million support package includes a £100 direct payment to all families with children receiving free school meals - and it’ll be made before Christmas.

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.

a four-nation approach to the festive season was confirmed on Tuesday night. She admitted some people thought the decision to allow people to form a "Christmas bubble" with three households over a five day period was too little, but others thought it was terrible.

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

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