Sydney Devine dead: Nicola Sturgeon leads tributes to 'legend' Scots showbiz star

First Minister said there was "good evidence" the national vaccination programme was already reducing the number of deaths from the virus across the country.And the SNP leader revealed the average number of covid cases being reported each day in Scotland had dropped to 657 - the lowest rate since October.It means all primary school pupils will be able to return to class as of March 15 - with high schools reopening full-time after the Easter break.Sturgeon added that a further review of easing

school after the Easter holidays.In a statement to MSPs the First Minister said all primary school children will be back in the classroom in two weeks time by March 15.The resumption of face-to-face learning is dependent on the state of the virus in Scotland.Last week kids from primary one to three were allowed back to the classroom after restrictions were lifted slightly.The SNP leader said all primary school pupils will be able to return to childcare as well in the coming weeks.Sturgeon told

Sydney Devine received a final round of applause today as his funeral cortege stopped outside the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr.Fans lined the streets to pay tribute to the stage star, fondly known as 'Steak 'n' Kidney', following his death earlier this month, aged 81.Sydney, from Cleland, North Lanarkshire, was best known for his version of the song Tiny Bubbles.

latest plan to ease restrictions yesterday but it was criticised for not looking beyond the end of April.The UK Government's routemap out of lockdown for England claimed all social restrictions could end as early as June 21.But Sturgeon said she would be “making it up” if she gave a specific date for the end of coronavirus restrictions.Speaking at the coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh on Wednesday, the SNP leader questioned Johnson's June 21 date.“If I was to give you a fixed, hard and fast date

Nicola Sturgeon's lockdown easing announcement today.This afternoon, the First Minister said that lockdown restrictions across Scotland should be "significantly eased" by late April.She revealed that non-essential shops, gyms, hospitality businesses and hairdressers could all reopen with social distancing measures in place if coronanvirus transmission continues to fall across the country.The existing stay at home restriction will be lifted by April 5, with people being able to meet in larger

could be back in class by March 15 with high schools fully open by April 5.But opposition MSPs and business leaders criticised today's document for lacking detail.Speaking to MSPs, Sturgeon said lockdown would ease in phases - separated by intervals of at least three weeks - culminating in the removal of the stay at home order on April 5.Scotland will move back to a regional system of restrictions by the end of that month.The rest of primary school years, as well as more senior phase pupils in

"route map" is published.

First Minister left a four nations call with the Prime Minister and the leaders of the other devolved administrations to take part in her regular coronavirus broadcast today.With the call between the leaders coming as plans for the easing of lockdown restrictions are being unveiled, the Scottish Tories accused the First Minister of having the wrong priority.A Conservative spokesman said: “It will raise more than a few eyebrows that Nicola Sturgeon’s priority is the BBC briefing over working

iOS and Android.But the move was greeted with anger among affected workers and branded the "the height of arrogance" by Scotland's former health secretary Alex Neil.MSP Mr Neil, who was alerted to the situation on a visit to his local Morrisons in Ayr this week, said: "Pharmacy staff should be entitled to claim this payment and will rightfully feel aggrieved."This is an offer from the Scottish Government and shouldn't be for individual companies to decide what happens next."It certainly isn't

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Legendary Scots singer Sydney Devine has died aged 81.The Cleland-born entertainer, who was awarded an MBE in 2010, passed away at Ayr Hospital on Saturday.A hugely popular figure, he first appeared on television at the age of 13.Sydney’s appeal sustained across the decades, he was best known for his signature song Tiny Bubbles and his own versions of popular songs such as Nobody’s Child, Maggie, and Crying

lockdown since Christmas with non-essential shops shut, almost all hospitality businesses closed and a ban on travelling outwith local council areas.The First Minister is expected to say that schools can begin reopening to the youngest primary pupils from next week, with limited numbers of senior high school students also allowed to return to class.But Scots will be hoping she can also provide some detail on when the toughest lockdown restrictions can expect to be eased.The number of positive

Sydney Devine have called for a statue to mark his contribution to Scotland’s entertainment industry.The performer, who sold 15million albums in seven decades, died on Saturday, aged 81, after a short illness.He had been admitted to hospital last month with a chest and lung complaint.Those who knew the singer have suggested three possible locations where a statue could be erected in his memory.BBC broadcaster and Daily Record columnist Tam Cowan, a close friend of Sydney, suggested his

singer had been battling a mystery illness after being rushed to Ayr Hospital in Scotland on January 23. He sadly died in the early hours on Saturday.

Ayr Hospital by ambulance almost three weeks ago after falling ill at home.He had released a new song in tribute to the NHS while he fighting a serious mystery illness in hospital.Iain Gordon, general manager at Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre said: “This is probably the hardest thing that I have ever had to announce and put on social media, this morning at 3:30am, our friend and star of the Pavilion and Scottish legend Sydney Devine has passed away.“I have worked with Sydney and the band since 1976

quarantine requirements  in England to match those planned for Scotland, which will require all international arrivals to self-isolate in hotels. The  Labour leader  said and estimated 10,000 travellers a day will be arriving in the UK from “higher-risk countries” where the South African or Brazilian coronavirus variants are circulating but which are not on the Government’s red list.

Sydney Devine has released a new song in tribute to the NHS while he fights a serious mystery illness in hospital.Sydney, 81, was rushed to Ayr Hospital by ambulance almost three weeks ago after falling ill at home.He is still seriously unwell with the chest and lung condition, which doctors have been struggling to diagnose.

Jeane Freeman said Scotland should hit its target of vaccinating 400,000 adults a week ahead of schedule this week - but added the programme will then “need to scale back a bit”.A drop in supply across all four UK nations is being caused by work being carried out by Pfizer – the manufacturer of one of the approved vaccines.The company is having to temporarily reduce output as part of an overall effort to increase manufacturing capacity amid worldwide demand for vaccines.Nicola Sturgeon said on

First Minister made the claim as she provided an update report on covid vaccine rates.SNP Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said last year she hoped the target would be met by the end of January.The Scottish Government has since faced intense criticism over the number of people who received a jab, compared with other parts of the UK.

vaccine  dose now stood at 839,226 alongside a clapping hands emoji. The Government has faced claims of sluggishness over the vaccine rollout in relation to other parts of the UK.Ministers were also hit by claims last week that unused vaccines were being dumped,However, the numbers have increased substantially in recent days.