Lockdown restrictions decision to be made very shortly – Jeane Freeman
A decision on greater lockdown restrictions being imposed in Scotland will be made in the early part of this week, the Health Secretary has said.
Scotland
Extra £4.25m made available to help victims of domestic abuse
Organisations helping women who have suffered domestic abuse are to get extra cash to help with the increase in demand for services during the coronavirus pandemic.
Three new Covid-19 deaths in Scotland
The latest Covid-19 figures for Scotland show three more confirmed coronavirus patients have died, bringing the total number of deaths under that measure to 2,505.
Coronavirus: Aberdeen music teacher hits out over lack of clarity on plans for singing lessons
A north-east teacher has spoken of his frustration at the lack of clarity over singing lessons amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pandemic must be focus over constitutional distractions, says Lib Dem leader
The Liberal Democrats can regain credibility and relevance by listening to people’s concerns during the coronavirus pandemic and not focusing on “distractions” such as Brexit and Scottish independence, Sir Ed Davey has said.
Sturgeon urges PM to convene emergency talks as Covid-19 cases rise
Nicola Sturgeon has called on the Prime Minister to convene an emergency meeting this weekend to discuss what further steps are needed to combat the rising number of coronavirus cases.
Edinburgh Rugby academy player tests positive for Covid-19 after rules breach
An Edinburgh Rugby academy player who breached coronavirus rules by attending a house party has tested positive for Covid-19.
Sturgeon says difficult decisions will be made this weekend to force Covid-19 into ‘retreat’
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned difficult decisions will be made this weekend to force coronavirus back into "retreat".
Government to back Labour MSP’s Bill to protect Scotland’s shop workers
The Scottish Government will back new laws being put forward by a Labour MSP aimed at improving protection for shop staff.
Scots urged not to cross the border into England unless for “essential purposes”
Residents of Scotland have been urged not to cross the English border unless for essential purposes.
Sir Ed Davey to help out at zoo on first visit to Scotland since becoming leader
The new leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey said he will be “mucking in” with workers at Fife Zoo during his first visit to Scotland since his election.
BBC Scotland will now show Sturgeon’s briefings live in the ‘coming weeks’
BBC Scotland has announced it will screen Nicola Sturgeon’s coronavirus briefings over the “coming weeks”, as the corporation looks to adapt how it covers the daily updates from the First Minister.
Justice Secretary urged to say if changes will be made to Hate Crime Bill
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf is being urged to make clear if the Scottish Government will change controversial new hate crime legislation before the end of Holyrood’s October break.
Samurai sword seized as police recover vast quantities of drugs
Large quantities of drugs, tens of thousands of pounds in cash and weapons including a Samurai sword have been recovered in a county lines day of action by police.
Police budget forecast to take £15m hit from PPE cost and loss of income
Police Scotland’s budget is expected to take a £15 million hit due to the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE) and a loss of income from policing events and sporting fixtures, MSPs have been told.
Nicola Sturgeon urged to ‘do whatever it takes’ on care home visits
Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to do “whatever it takes” to allow more people to visit relatives in care homes during the coronavirus pandemic.
The World Cup date which completed Aberdeen legend Jim Leighton’s road to redemption
Jim Leighton can remember the struggle he faced after being discarded from the first team at Manchester United 30 years ago.
Poll: Would you back a 9pm curfew for pubs in Scotland?
More than 70% of people in Scotland believe pubs should have a 9pm curfew, according to a new poll from YouGov.
Heritage sector organisations share £6.4m in emergency support
More than 100 organisations across Scotland have shared a £6.4 million fund as part of an emergency support package for the heritage sector.
Prosecutors receive police file following investigation into Skye care home deaths
A report into the deaths of three residents at a beleaguered Skye care home has been handed to the Crown Office.
Retail in Scotland ‘improving modestly’ despite sixth consecutive sales drop
Retail in Scotland is “improving, but incredibly modestly” while facing challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, according to experts.
New visitors make up most of those seeking help from Citizens Advice Scotland
The vast majority of people seeking help from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) for employment and housing issues have never used the service before, the latest figures show.
Police priorities set out ‘without means or resources to deliver them’
Priorities set out by Police Scotland’s chief constable were done so “without the means or resources to deliver them”, a watchdog has found.
Development concerns for 22% of children in poorest areas
Concerns were raised about the development of more than a fifth of children living in Scotland’s most deprived areas, a report has revealed.
Bogus coronavirus test calls ‘utterly despicable’, says First Minister
Coronavirus con artists who pose as contact tracers as part of a scam in which they ask people to pay money to get tested have been branded “truly and utterly despicable” by Nicola Sturgeon.
Majority of Scots believe climate change is urgent problem, survey suggests
A major annual survey has found for the first time a majority of people in all age groups across Scotland believe climate change is an “immediate and urgent problem”.
Sea eagle chicks Victoria and Albert first to hatch in Deeside for 200 years
A pair of sea eagles have successfully bred in Deeside for the first time in around 200 years.
Coronavirus tightens its grip: A look at the rise in cases across parts of Europe and further afield
Several large European nations have seen a steady increase in the number of coronavirus infections being recorded in recent weeks.
Scotland’s opt-out organ donation laws to be introduced in March
Organ donation will become an opt-out system in Scotland in March, the Scottish Government has announced.
Two charged after series of business break-ins across Scotland
Two men have been charged after a series of break-ins at businesses around Scotland.