Benny Higgins, who chairs the advisory panel on economic recovery, says his report today is a “call to action” for everyone, but especially those in positions of leadership in government and business.

He warns Scotland’s economy already faced a range of challenges before Covid-19 such as Brexit.

The former Tesco bank chief says economic recovery must create jobs and focus on the climate emergency.

He says this will ensure the economy is “ready for the next crisis, not the last one”.

The first minister points out that as we get out and about more it is even more important than ever that we follow the rules and guidelines.

"That's why the decisions all of us are taking now as individuals, more than ever, directly affect the health, the wellbeing and indeed the economic prosperity for all of us."

She stresses again the public health campaign launched on Friday.

The first minister pivots to the report's recommendations for youth unemployment and a jobs guarantee, saying they are potentially very significant.

They can help to ensure young people get the opportunities they deserve in the wake of this pandemic, she adds.

The economic recovery must be a collaborative project, Ms Sturgeon stresses.

She says the report is clear sighted about the vast scale of the challenge our economy faces, however, it sets out practical measures to help face that challenge.

"It potentially lays the foundations for a much more resilient, more sustainable and fairer economy in the years to come."

The first minister says the Scottish government will provide a detailed response to the report before the end of July.

Ms Sturgeon says the government agrees with the basic principles of the report.

Image source, PA Media

She says its themes including education, employment and tackling inequality will be critical for the economy.

The first minister tells the briefing the report is strong in highlighting the importance of regional support and digital infrastructure.

She agrees with the advisory group when it stresses the importance of working with the UK government.

The Scottish government also agrees with the importance of a green recovery and the Scottish National Investment Bank

The 25 recommendations are on areas including:

• investment, employment and skills
• the relationship between government and business
• the future of the care sector
• the importance of culture
• and the role of the third sector

The first minister says Scottish government’s Advisory Group on Economic Recovery was created to return Scotland to sustainable economic growth, as the pandemic is brought under control.

Ms Sturgeon adds: "Our efforts must increasingly focus on how the economy recovers and renews itself for the long term.

"So I am very grateful to Benny and the advisory group members for all of their efforts."

The advisory group's report includes 25 substantial recommendations:

Read the full report here, external

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister stresses the need for people to adhere strictly to the public advice and proceed with caution.

"So please stick to the rules."

She says remember:

• Face coverings - mandatory on public transport
• Avoid crowded places even outdoors
• Clean your hands regularly, as well as surfaces and maintain 2m social distancing from other households
• Self-isolate if you have symptoms of Covid

The first minister says the progress made so far in tackling the pandemic allows more clarity in terms of indicative dates for the next steps in the route out of lockdown.

Ms Sturgeon says we will get more detail on that later this week.

She points out the virus hasn't gone away and some countries are dealing with spikes of the virus and a second wave.

The first minister says: "We are trying to get back to normal and we want to do that as quickly as possible.

"But let me reiterate my strong view that acting recklessly now would be a serious mistake."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirms 18,170 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, an increase of 14 from yesterday.

867 patients are in hospital with a suspected or confirmed case (up 66, all of which are suspected), with 15 being treated in intensive care (down one).

3,978 people have been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for the virus since 5 March.

No deaths have been registered in the last 24 hours, so the total remains at 2,472.

The Scottish government briefing on the coronavirus pandemic is under way.

Today her focus will be on economic recovery - and she will be joined by Benny Higgins, who has chaired the government's advisory group.

A 60-page report setting out proposals for the recovery, external, titled "Towards a robust, resilient and wellbeing economy", has been published ahead of the briefing.

It includes a Scottish Jobs Guarantee if you're 16 to 25 years old.

Image source, PA Media

A group advising Scottish ministers on how to repair the economic crisis caused by coronavirus has called for a jobs guarantee for 16 to 25-year-olds.

The panel led by former Tesco Bank boss Benny Higgins has published a list of recommendations for economic recovery., external

They want young people to be offered at least two years of "secure employment".

The independent report warns that GDP could fall by as much as 33% in the coming months, and says Scotland must "create jobs at an unprecedented rate".

It calls for a "significant increase" in infrastructure investment, particular in digital technologies, and targeted measures to support the hospitality and tourism industries.

Read more

Image source, Getty Images

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is holding her usual briefing on the coronavirus pandemic at 12:30.

Today her focus will be on economic recovery - and she will be joined by Benny Higgins, who has chaired the government's advisory group.

A 60-page report setting out proposals for the recovery, external, titled "Towards a robust, resilient and wellbeing economy", has been published ahead of the briefing.

It includes a Scottish Jobs Guarantee if your'e 16 to 25 years old.

We'll bring you extensive coverage of the briefing shortly.

Douglas Fraser
Scotland business & economy editor

To preserve the economy from an even more catastrophic collapse, Holyrood can be expected to take on equity stakes in a wide range of small companies.

So says Benny Higgins, the ex-banker leading the eight-member team commissioned by the Scottish government to advise it on the route to economic recovery.

The group's report will be published at 12.30pm, as the daily Scottish government briefing gets underway.

The former chief executive of Tesco Bank talked to me about the direction of travel for the group.

It won't just be high-level themes, he said. There will be specific "interventions" - one of his favourite words. The creation of a new government agency to take control of the new and wide-ranging share portfolio is one taster of what to expect.

"It is likely that government will own equity stakes in businesses," says Mr Higgins. "We need to create an institution which can do that professionally."

Read more of the interview here.

Mornings with Kaye Adams
BBC Radio Scotland

Germaphobia or mysophobia - the fear of germs and contamination can prompt excessive hand-washing, reluctance to leave the house and an avoidance of contact with others.

Cleaning blogger Lynsey Crombie explains her anxiety "went absolutely through the roof" at the start of the pandemic. But she started to get her germaphobia back under control by learning more about the virus and how it spreads.

Image source, Emma Russell

Dr Christine Tait-Burkard from the Roslin Institute agrees it can be difficult to not get worked up in the current environment - but she explains the chance of getting enough of the virus from touching surfaces is very low.

She says because fingertips are very small, unless you are putting your fingers into your mouth or nose the risk is low.

Gin Lalli, a psychotherapist, says while it is important to be more careful with hygiene we must be aware it does not take over our lives.

People can learn cleaning alleviates stress but this can get out of hand as people become more reliant it, she adds. Ms Lalli instead recommends using mindfulness techniques and ensuring you get the right amount of good quality sleep.

Mornings with Kaye Adams
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, PA

"It's always best if exercise is seen as something fun, not a chore," says Scott Birse, a PE Teacher and personal trainer from Banchory.

During lockdown, Mr Birse has been running free online classes for the local community, with 650 people of all ages in the group.

"I've been trying to make exercise something people want to do, doing short sessions of about 20 minutes and we've usually got about 50 involved in each class," he says. "We improvise and have a laugh for the younger kids. It has to be achievable, you don't want to put people off."

And what about PE lessons when the schools go back in August?

"It will be a challenge," Mr Birse tells BBC Radio Scotland. "I think the focus will be on classes outside and with smaller numbers."