Pay rise for thousands of Scots as Nicola Sturgeon welcomes Living Wage increase

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.

agreement to allow trave l across the whole of the UK regardless of what lockdown level each area is in at the time. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon backed the plan but told people to "think carefully" before reuniting with relatives and loved ones.

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

Scottish Conservative leader insisted he was "in it to win it" when asked if he had any chance of ousting Nicola Sturgeon in May 2021.

First Minister spoke out in her daily briefing one day after an ambitions timetable raised hopes a million Scots could be vaccinated by January. Sturgeon was highlighting level 4 lockdown restrictions in Glasgow - where she lives - and 10 other neighbouring council areas today.

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

Booker Prize for his debut Shuggie Bain. The First Minister congratulated Stuart after judges unanimously crowned him this year's winner this evening.

travel ban is being imposed tomorrow along with closures for non essential shops affecting nearly half the population. The measures attracted a major backlash from businesses who now fear disaster in the normally busy festive season.Sturgeon, at today's coronavirus briefing, said the rate of infection is showing signs of improvement but there are big regional variations.

Scottish Government has handled the coronavirus pandemic well, according to a new poll. The study for BBC Scotland found that 72% of those questioned think it has done well and just 15% think it has handled the situation badly, while 12% say it has done neither well or badly and the remainder do not know.

Christmas "bauble" over the festive season to allow families to meet indoors. The First Minister coined the pun as she revealed discussions between devolved administrations and the UK Government were being held on easing some lockdown restrictions next month.

level two rules on November 24.The change depends on continued progress, but it was seen as a positive sign while Glasgow and 10 other councils were ordered into the highest level four lockdown.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the plan at the Scottish Parliament as part of the government's weekly review of the five-tier system.She said: "I am pleased to report that East Lothian and Midlothian have both seen a marked decline in infection rates – prevalence in these areas is significantly

Boris Johnson after its emerged that the Prime Minister dubbed devolution 'north of the border' a 'disaster'.The Johnson comment emerged following a Zoom call with Tory MPs on Monday evening.It's claimed he said devolution was also 'Tony Blair's biggest mistake'.The claim was made in an article by The Sun on Monday.It read: "He said that 'devolution has been a disaster north of the border' and it was 'Tony Blair's biggest mistake'.  "Admitting he thought it was a good idea when he was Mayor of

Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to keep schools open in the west of Scotland even in council areas placed at level four.The First Minister today gave her strongest indication yet that several local authorities will this week be moved into the Government's highest level of lockdown - meaning thousands of non-essential businesses will be forced to close.But both primary and high schools will stay open to ensure youngsters can still attend class.It comes as the country's biggest teaching union, the EIS,