Drivetime will now bring you the update from Unison on the pay and conditions for care workers next week.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock will lead the UK government’s daily briefing at 17:00 BST (16:00 GMT).

He’ll be joined by Baroness Dido Harding, who runs the government’s coronavirus test and trace scheme in England.

You can follow live updates here.

Image source, EPA

Here's the UK picture ahead of government briefing:

• A total of 41,279 people have died after testing positive for the virus, a rise of 151 from yesterday's figure
• UK Minsters are facing calls from Tory backbenchers to drop the 2m (6ft) social distancing rule in England
• Nicola Sturgeon expects virus will continue to decline in Scotland
• Workers will now be allowed to return to construction sites in Scotland

House of Commons
Parliament

Asked about possible differences between public and private care homes, Scotland's health secretary explains there is an emerging indicate that incidence of Covid-19 does appear to be swayed by the size of a home but not the provider type.

However, Ms Freeman says the pandemic has shown there needs to be some discussion about what the future of the care sector should be after this.

Jeane Freeman and Scotland's Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch are continuing to give evidence to Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee.

Tory MP Andrew Bowie says the death rate in care homes is a "shameful statistic". Committee chair Pete Wishart wonders if consistent Conservative calls for Ms Freeman to resign are hampering her.

The health secretary replies: "No, it's not hampering my ability to do my core task because I am absolutely determined to do that job and to continue to do it. I do regret it though."

She adds it is important to learn lessons as we go, but there will be more time in the aftermath of the pandemic to ensure all the lessons can be learned and shape policy going forward.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has today said the current social distancing rules on keeping at least 2m apart was the best policy "for now".

The Scottish government has been facing calls from the tourism industry, pubs, restaurants and other businesses to reduce the distance to make it easier for them to reopen.

The World Health Organisation recommends a social distance of at least 1m - and several countries around the world have cut their required distance to less than 2m.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to keep the 2m (6ft) rule for social distancing "under constant review" in England.

• Warning against cutting 2m distance rule
• A decision over the two-metre rule looms in England
• Tourism businesses want two-metre rule reviewed
• Should we be allowed closer than 2m?

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, Parliament TV

Prof Jason Leitch tells Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee says he is "cautious" but "relieved" about the drop in the R-number.

Scotland's first minister confirmed earlier today that the R-number is now estimated to be between 0.6 and 0.8, down from the previous estimate of between 0.7 and 0.9.

Prof Leitch says public messaging and public compliance a key to tackling this pandemic.

The health secretary agrees, adding Scotland would not be where is it with a falling R-number of the public had not heeded the messages.

Ms Freeman highlights the importance of maintaining public trust going forward if the virus is to continue to be suppressed.

There was initial confusion when the UK government chose to change its message from 'Stay at Home' to 'Stay Alert', the cabinet secretary tells MPs, but she believes this has been resolved.

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

John Beattie will be on air from 16:00 BST.

Deborah Clarke from Unison joins the show with an important update on pay and conditions for care workers.

As lockdown eases and the economy gets started again, director of the Common Weal think tank, Robin McAlpine, will be discussing how Scotland should try to make money again.

John will also be interviewing the Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop about social distancing and the return of the tourism and construction industries.

The Scottish government has missed its annual tree planting target of 12,000 hectares, despite increased woodland being critical in tackling climate change.

Covid-19 and bad weather are being blamed.

The government only managed 90% of its target which is the equivalent of 22 million new trees.

Image source, bbc

Guidance for farmers, crofters and other agricultural workers on measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has been published on the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Services website. , external

While food-related farming and supply chain businesses have kept working throughout the crisis, other outdoor farming activity is now restarting.Construction and manufacturing agricultural businesses are also preparing to restart.

The Scottish government guidance includes information on:

• how to support safe working on farms and crofts
• COVID-19 hygiene measures
• farm and croft inspections
• keeping employees safe
• operating farm shops

Image source, PA Media

Scotland's first minister has said she expects the coronavirus outbreak to continue to decline after the country's infection rate fell slightly.

Nicola Sturgeon said the so-called R number - essentially the rate at which the virus spreads - was now estimated to be between 0.6 and 0.8, external.

This is lower than the previous estimate of between 0.7 and 0.9.

Ms Sturgeon said it suggested the country was making "real progress in combating and suppressing the virus".

And she said it was likely she would be able to announce further easing of the lockdown restrictions next Thursday.

• Read more here
• What is the magic (R) number?

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, Parliament TV

Scotland's Health Secretary Jeane Freeman is continuing to give evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster.

The four nation approach to tackling coronavirus is an "evolving process" she told MPs, adding there has been significant engagement with scientists and clinicians.

However, Ms Freeman adds: "The engagement at senior ministerial and political level has not been as consistent as we would wish it to be."

She says the last Cobra meeting took place on 10 May and a number of decisions have been taken since then. Cooperation and collaboration requires discussion, she adds.

Is the four nation approach dead, asks committee chair Pete Wishart.

The health secretary says the aim is to continue working together, but she admits she does not understand why Cobra has not met more recently.

Image source, PA Media

The site is one of three launched across the UK to rapidly expand testing capacity.

The Glasgow Lighthouse Lab is hosted by the University of Glasgow at its Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus and officially began testing in April.

It receives samples - at first only from key workers but later extended to the general public - collected at regional testing sites around the UK.

Giancarlo Rinaldi
South Scotland reporter, BBC news website

Image source, Richard Webb

Job fears at a Borders hotel have been described as “another hammer blow” to the community by council leader Shona Haslam.

She was responding to news that up to 1,800 jobs are under threat at the Macdonald Hotel chain – which runs the Cardrona Hotel in the region.

It comes on the back of another announcement of potential redundancies at the nearby Peebles Hydro operated by the Crieff Hydro group.

Ms Haslam said the council would do everything in its power to support any staff affected.

Image source, PA Media

The legislation was to include measures to ban multi buy offers on foods high in fat, sugar or salt.

Ministers said they wanted to take stock in light of the coronavirus pandemic to see if a more wide-ranging plan was needed to tackle Scotland’s diet and weight problem.

But health campaigners are calling for a firm timetable for the bill to help cut childhood obesity.

Read the full story here.

MPs will get the chance this afternoon to quiz Health Secretary Jeane Freeman on the Scottish government's response to coronavirus.

Ms Freeman will be joined by Scotland's Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch for the Scottish Affairs Committee evidence virtual evidence session.

It's the first time MPs have had the opportunity to question a Scottish government minister directly since the Covid -19 outbreak.

The session is expected to see some sharp exchanges with Conservative MPs having previously described the Scottish government as reckless in its approach to care homes.

That's something the committee's SNP MPs are unlikley to leave unchallenged.

You can watch the Scottish Affairs Committee here from 2.30pm., external

• Nicola Sturgeon expects the coronavirus outbreak to continueto decline after a slight fall in Scotland’s transmission rate
• The R-number is now estimated to be between 0.6 and 0.8, down from the previous estimate of between 0.7 and 0.9
• However this does not yet include the impact of the easing of lockdown
• An estimated 4,500 people had the virus and were infectious in Scotland last Friday, compared with 11,500 the previous Friday - though that second figure was an overestimate, the FM said

• FM ‘hopeful’ further lockdown restrictions can be lifted a week today
• Workers will be able to return to construction sites gradually
• Help-to-Buy scheme extended until March 2022
• £11m of support brought forward for higher education students
• Test and Protect requires ‘social bargain’ but is essential going forward

MSPs are questioning Scottish government ministers about the response to the pandemic during portfolio questions.

Today's portfolios are:

• Rural Economy and Tourism
• Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity
• Justice and the Law Officers

You can watch the proceedings here on the live page with us.

The Daily Record has a a question on child care provision for key workers, asking why there are such big variations from council to council.

"Education and child welfare is the statutory responsibility of local authorities," replies the first minister, who says decisions are made on local needs and circumstances.

Nicola Sturgeon says her government is working closely with councils on hub provision on critical child care, which is set to run through the summer. She adds that there are also discussions on keeping the provision of free school meals running over the summer months.

What comfort can the first minister give to grandparents who haven't seen grandchildren or separated couples who may be looking on with envy at developments in England, ask The Express.

"A week today, I will stand in parliament and outline the conclusions we have reached about going into phase two," replies the first minister.

Nicola Sturgeon adds that she "totally understands the frustrations people have", saying she is taking decisions that will give people as much of their lives back as possible while providing protection from the virus.