Scotland records another two coronavirus deaths
Scotland has recorded a further two coronavirus deaths in the last 24 hours, Scottish Government figures show.
Scotland
SNP can learn from Biden election victory to get second referendum, Russell says
The SNP needs to learn from Joe Biden as the party attempts to win a second independence referendum, Scottish Constitution Secretary Mike Russell has said.
UK Government in a panic over support for independence, claims Blackford
The UK Government is in a “panic” over recent support for Scottish independence, the SNP’s Westminster leader has said.
Doctors’ leader warns of ‘massive levels of burnout’ in NHS after Covid-19
The health service risks having a “massive level of burnouts” in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis, unless additional care is given to the “very fragile” mental health of staff, a leading doctor has warned.
SNP pledges free breakfast and lunch for primary pupils all year round
The SNP will provide free breakfasts and lunches to all primary school children in Scotland all year round if re-elected next May, Education Secretary John Swinney has pledged.
Readers’ Letters: We must send more, not less
I am saddened to hear of the resignation of Baroness Sugg, left, who is head of our Foreign Aid Office in the UK Government.
Universities in plea for ‘reliable’ funding in Scottish budget
Next year’s Scottish budget needs to deliver a “reliable, sustainable funding settlement” for universities to help with the country’s recovery from Covid-19, a representative body for the sector has said.
Cherry: Scotland on ‘highway’ to independence
Joanna Cherry QC has said Scotland is on a “highway” to independence and will leave the UK at the next “exit” as she pushed for her party to pursue a “Plan B”.
Scrap Higher and Advanced Higher exams in 2021, say majority of parents in poll
A majority of Scottish parents believe exams for Higher and Advanced Higher should be cancelled next year.
Scotland pledges £2m to feed children in some of world’s poorest nations
The Scottish Government has announced it will give £2 million to help children in some of the world’s poorest nations in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Discussions ongoing as sport in Scotland fights for survival
Public funding for sport will need to prioritise organisations which are battling for survival, according to sportscotland.
England confirmed among top seeds for World Cup qualifying draw
England could be drawn in a World Cup qualifying group with Wales and one of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland or Scotland next month.
Mental health services need share of Covid funding, say psychiatrists
Mental health services are not receiving a “fair share” of government funding, a psychiatry body said as figures showed inpatient admissions are at their highest rate in over two decades.
Holyrood agrees in principle to ‘overdue reform’ of Scotland’s tied pubs
Legislation that will bring “overdue reform” to part of Scotland’s pub sector has passed a key vote at Holyrood.
Postal voting assurances sought ahead of Holyrood 2021 election
MSPs are seeking assurances that ministers will make “sufficient resources” available to cope with the expected increase in demand for postal voting in next year’s Holyrood election.
Baltic states added to Scotland’s coronavirus quarantine list
Quarantine rules have been reinstated for travellers into Scotland from Estonia and Latvia.
Think carefully before seeing family at Christmas, Sturgeon warns Scots
Nicola Sturgeon has urged Scots to “think carefully” before forming a Christmas bubble with family and friends over the festive season.
Rape reports down more than 20% during lockdown, Police Scotland figures reveal
Reports of rape when the country was in lockdown dropped just over 20% on the same period as last year, according to Police Scotland.
In Full: Scotland’s Christmas Covid rules explained
A maximum of eight people from three households are allowed in a Christmas bubble, with social distancing rules to be followed. The limits do not apply to children under-12.
Scottish Government to back Labour MSP’s pubs Bill in Holyrood vote
Legislation reforming some of Scotland’s pubs will be approved in principle by MSPs, after the Scottish Government announced it would back the changes in a vote.
Calls for more social housing to help domestic abuse victims
Calls are being made for tens of thousands more social homes to be built in Scotland amid concerns the lack of it stops people leaving an abusive partner.
Fans will only return in Scotland when safe to do so, says Professor Leitch
Allowing football fans back into grounds should not come at the expense of larger numbers of coronavirus cases, hospital admissions or even deaths, Scotland’s national clinical director has said.
Football fans will be allowed back into stadiums when safe to do so, says Leitch
Allowing football fans back into grounds should not come at the expense of larger numbers of coronavirus cases, hospital admissions or even deaths, Scotland’s national clinical director has said.
Peter Sawkins: Bake Off superfan who became a champion
Peter Sawkins has won the dual honour of becoming the first Great British Bake Off winner from Scotland as well as the youngest.
GDP growth for fifth consecutive month but still below pre-pandemic levels
Economic growth in Scotland is still well below the level it was before the coronavirus pandemic, despite new data showing GDP has increased for the fifth month in a row.
Spikkin Scots: Listen to the different dialects of Scotland with our interactive map
With voices changing every 20 miles, it’s difficult to quantify exactly how many dialects come under the Scots language umbrella.
Following Covid-19 rules the ‘best gift’ Scots can give this Christmas, FM says
Sticking with coronavirus rules and helping keep people safe is the “best gift” Scots can give this Christmas, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
REACTION: Fans delight as Sawkins is first Scot to win The Great British Bake Off
Fans of The Great British Bake Off have reacted with joy tonight as Peter Sawkins was crowned as the winner of the show, becoming the first Scot to do so.
More than 100,000 Scots waiting for key NHS tests to be carried out
More than 100,000 Scots are now waiting for key diagnostic tests to be carried out by the NHS.
Latest weekly Covid-19 rates for local authority areas in Scotland
Here are the latest weekly rates of new cases of Covid-19 for every local authority area in Scotland.