Scottish businesses offer mixed reactions to Nicola Sturgeon's latest routemap out of lockdown

Nicola Sturgeon enjoyed her first haircut of the year as lockdown restrictions in Scotland eased, allowing hairdressers and barbers to open. The First Minister got a fresh cut and colour at Julie McGuire’s hair salon in Edinburgh on Monday after months of closures on businesses to curb the spread of coronavirus.

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.

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”.

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.

"the scandal of child poverty" if she is returned to power at May's Holyrood poll.The £10-per-week child payment was first launched last month as part of the Scottish Government's strategy to help struggling families.Parents and carers who receive other welfare support - such as Universal Credit - are able to apply for the payment for each child under the age of six.It's due to be rolled out to include children aged 16 and under by the end of next year.But the SNP leader will today warn that the

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.

Scotland in the next decade if re-elected in May. The First Minister will announce later today her plans to rebuild the country following the devastating coronavirus pandemic.

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,

Scotland ’s most senior civil servant.

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

coronavirus lockdown. The stunning 30-metre-high horse-head sculptures turned yellow near Falkirk on the national day of reflection as Scots looked back at the Covid-19 pandemic.

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.

First Minister leaked last week, ruled that she had given an "inaccurate" account of a meeting with her predecessor during her Government’s botched probe into him. Set up in 2019, the Committee has been investigating the SNP Government’s mis-handling of sexual misconduct complaints against Salmond when he was First Minister.Salmond pursued a judicial review and it was agreed the Government probe, which destroyed his friendship with Sturgeon, had been unlawful and tainted by apparent bias.

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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.

Linda Fabiani (Convener)Long-serving SNP MSP who has been deputy presiding officer of the Scottish parliament since 2016. No friend of Salmond, who replaced her as Europe Minister halfway through the SNP’s first term in office.