'No connection' between schools announcement and Nicola Sturgeon's evidence to Salmond Inquiry, says Swinney

Nicola Sturgeon has announced 'better times lie ahead' as Scots face another 'difficult Easter'. The First Minister said we now have 'hope' in the fight against Covid-19 and urged the country to stay positive.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.MOTORING industry chiefs in Scotland are looking forward to welcoming back customers to dealerships from Monday.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Tuesday that car showrooms and forecourts would be able to reopen from the Easter bank holiday.She also reminded would-be car buyers that they may need an appointment and to check with the retailer before visiting.Scottish Motor Trade Association chief

Alba Party, it could change the balance of power between Scotland and Westminster.Prime Minister Boris Johnson has consistently refused current First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s calls for a second Scottish independence referendum.But Salmond said that if a “super majority” of pro-independence MSPs are elected to Holyrood, a range of options would be available to those who want to take Scotland out of the UK.He suggested Scotland could organise its own referendum in those circumstances, with other

First Minister is “pretending” his comeback bid is about indyref2. He also stepped up his criticisms of Scots Tory leader Douglas Ross by saying he fronts a “game-playing, inward looking, childish opposition”.

campaign. SNP leader and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon took on her rivals in the BBC Scotland clash which took place just days into the campaign.

SNP. While the election campaign would usually see politicians travel the country speaking to voters, the First Minister said the coronavirus pandemic meant she would instead be "staying home".

party chiefs. The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be joined by Anas Sarwar from Labour, Douglas Ross from the Scottish Conservatives, Willie Rennie from the Lib Dems and Lorna Slater of the Scottish Greens.

Scottish politics.But the Scottish Greens co-leader will join Nicola Sturgeon, Anas Sarwar, Douglas Ross and Willie Rennie for the first election debate of 2021 live on BBC One tonight.Co-leader Patrick Harvie is the most high profile Greens MSP and has been a mainstay of politics in Scotland for a number of years - but not much is known about Slater in comparison.She did however appear on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show on Sunday it what was her first major TV interview.So, what do we know about

crazed thug spat in a shop worker's face as Covid-19 took such a grip of Scotland that lockdown measures had to be introduced.Taylor Sutherley gobbed in the man's face as she rained punches on him and a female colleague at a Tesco Superstore.Sutherley, 22, lost the plot at the store in Barrhead, near Glasgow, just days before First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a lockdown to stop the spread of the deadly Covid-19 virus.We told previously how Sutherley is facing a lengthy jail term over a

Alex Salmond's return to politics The former SNP leader confirmed he will be standing for the Alba Party on the North East regional list section in May's Scottish Parliament election.Launching the new party in an online event on Friday, the former SNP leader said: "Today Alba are hoisting a flag in the wind, planting our Saltire on a hill.

Get the latest Scottish crime and courts news sent straight to your inbox with our Criminal Record newsletter.Alex Salmond has suggested there are routes to independence other than the legally-backed second referendum favoured by Nicola Sturgeon.Salmond, who quit the SNP when he faced sexual assault charges of which he was later cleared, said the aim of his new party was to work towards a “successful, socially just, environmentally responsible, independent country”.The former First Minister said

Covid-19 pandemic. The Holyrood Government has announced plans to offer more than 154,000 NHS staff in Scotland a pay rise of at least four per cent.

Scottish Parliament election campaign. Scots will head to the poll on May 6 in what is expected to be a crucial election for the future of Sturgeon's independence dream.

NHS workers have been offered a 'substantial' pay rise after an 'exceptionally challenging year'.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced 'our NHS staff deserve more than applause and 1% is not enough' after putting a 4% raise on the table.If accepted by staff, would be the most generous National Health Service pay uplift anywhere in the UK.The pay rise will benefit 154,000 NHS employees including nurses, paramedics, allied health professionals, as well as domestic, healthcare support staff,

NHS workers have been offered a 'substantial' pay rise after an 'exceptionally challenging year'. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced 'our NHS staff deserve more than applause and 1% is not enough' after putting a 4% raise on the table.If accepted by staff, would be the most generous National Health Service pay uplift anywhere in the UK.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Business leaders welcomed indicative dates over lockdown easing as hairdressers, non-essential retailers, pubs, restaurants and cafes all prepare to reopen next month.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week outlined a route back to recovery which will include the stay at home message being replaced with stay local guidance from early April.Scotland-wide travel will again be permitted from April 26 with most

Nicola Sturgeon will face questions from fellow MSPs at First Minister's Questions this afternoon.It is expected to begin around 12.30 in the Scottish Parliament, and beforehand the First Minister will give the latest update on the current coronavirus statistics.It comes as the Western Isles will today move to level three of lockdown restrictions from 6pm.Announcing the change yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon said the Outer Hebrides would return to the level that currently applies to Orkney and

Scottish Parliament later today. The Scottish Tories said they will press ahead with a vote in First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after a Holyrood committee found she misled parliament.

Our Politics newsletter is now daily.

First Minister 's resignation amid accusations she misled parliament about her involvement in the Alex Salmond investigation. It followed a leak that the inquiry into the Government's unlawful investigation into harassment complaints against the former first minister has reportedly concluded that Ms Sturgeon gave an "inaccurate" account of meetings with Mr Salmond.