Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

John Swinney says that throughout the Covid-19 period there has been "a general de-politicisation" of issues as Scotland's politicians came together to tackle the crisis.

"With the exception of Jackson Carlaw, all the opposition party leaders have stuck to that," the deputy first minister tells BBC Radio Scotland.

"They have asked some pretty probing questions, like Richard Leonard today, but it has been done with honesty and sincerity to get to the real meat of things."

The deputy first minister says that in recent weeks, Carlaw "felt the need to get into essentially political territory about this and I don’t think that has worked well for him to be honest.

"Frankly his contribution at question time today didn’t work well for him at all."

Image source, Getty Images

So Jackson Carlaw has resigned as the leader of the Scottish Conservatives after only six months in the job.

In a statement, Mr Carlaw said he been "thinking hard" about his role as party leader over the summer months.

His resignation was announced just hours after Mr Carlaw faced Nicola Sturgeon in a bitter exchange over Covid statistics in the Scottish Parliament.

This after Nicola Sturgeon was rebuked by the UK statistics watchdog over her repeated claim that coronavirus rates in England are five times higher than Scotland.

The Scottish Conservatives are currently the second largest party at Holyrood, but are facing a battle to prevent the pro-independence SNP winning a majority in next year's election.

Education Secretary John Swinney says he is as "stunned as anybody" by Jackson Carlaw's resignation as Scottish Conservative leader.

"I had absolutely no inclination this was coming," he tells BBC Radio Scotland.

"Leadership is tough, and his statement is very personal reflection on his own assessment of his position.

"I wish him well. It’s a tough spot to occupy as leader of a political party. I cam’t imagine it has been an easy conclusion for him to come to."

Nicola Sturgeon has made two big announcements today - the reopening of schools next month and a pause to shielding on Saturday.

But the first minister said Scotland's progress against coronavirus - though substantial - is fragile and the country will remain in Phase Three of the routemap out of lockdown for the time being.

• Scotland's schools have been given the go-ahead to reopen from 11 August
• Coronavirus shielding in Scotland will be paused from 1 August

• In other news the first minister has been rebuked by the UK statistics watchdog over repeated claims that coronavirus rates in England are five times higher than Scotland - this led to a bitter clash with Jackson Carlaw in the chamber

• Jackson Carlaw has of course just resigned as Scottish Conservative leader

Image source, PA Media

On the day it was confirmed schools will be returning full-time next month, Education Secretary John Swinney will be speaking to Drivetime shortly.

We'll keep you up to date with he has to say right here.

So on an incredibly busy news day Jackson Carlaw has resigned as leader of the Scottish Conservative leader.

Moray Macdonald, a former Conservative spin doctor tells Drivetime he is as surprised as the rest of us by the news which is

"Most Tory MSPs, if not all, were surprised as well."

Lord Ian Duncan says he is "slightly taken aback" and clearly not in the loop.

Jackson Carlaw has resigned as the leader of the Scottish Conservatives after only six months in the job.

Mr Carlaw said he did not believe he was the best person to lead the case for Scotland remaining in the United Kingdom.

And he said he had therefore decided to stand down with immediate effect.

Mr Carlaw succeeded Ruth Davidson as the party's leader in February after previously acting as her deputy.

He had also served as acting leader while Ms Davidson was off on maternity leave following the birth of her son, and after her resignation in August of last year.

• Saturday 1 August: Coronavirus shielding in Scotland will be paused

• Monday 3 August: Relax certain restrictions on some support groups and services and for sports coaches – once relevant guidance is implemented. Routine eye care services can be provided within community optometry practices premises and in patients' own homes.

• Tuesday 11 August: Scotland's schools have been given the go-ahead to reopen from 11 August

• Monday 17 August: Urgent dental care involving aerosols can begin to be provided in practices for NHS patients.

The Scottish government has more details of the key changes, including indicative dates for a number of businesses here., external

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

Rod Grant, headmaster at Clifton Hall in Edinburgh, told BBC Radio Scotland he is "delighted" to be returning to school, and is more worried about what happens in the winter if there is a further wave of infection.

"Everything is in place; we will make it as safe as we can and follow guidelines as much as we can," he says.

All teachers will be provided with face masks for their own protection, even if they don’t have to wear them, he says, and there will be social distance measures in the staff room.

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, PA Media

Anne is a single parent, part of a shielded household and has two teenage children, in their fourth and fifth year of high school.

She is worried abut them "being lumbered with a huge responsibility" because they live with a shielded parent, and have to travel in a private-hire minibus to school and back with children from 15 other households.

Now shielding has been paused, she says she will have "no fallback" unlike teachers, who can go through a risk assessment with their employers.

"We can't ask about the risk in terms of the minibus, testing of the driver, because technically shielding people are the same as ordinary people now."

Giancarlo Rinaldi
South Scotland reporter, BBC news website

Image source, Scottish Borders Council

Scottish Borders Council has confirmed all pupils in its area will return to school on 11 August.

The local authority said it would follow an in-service day, as planned, on 10 August.

It said separate arrangements were in place for Jedburgh Grammar Campus - as was normal for any new school - with details being provided directly to parents.

Chief executive Tracey Logan said: "We have been working on these plans for some time now and can reassure parents, pupils and staff that everything will be in place to make all our early years settings and schools as safe as possible."

More information is available via the council website., external

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon has been rebuked by the UK statistics watchdog over her repeated claim that coronavirus rates in England are five times higher than Scotland.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs claims the use of this figure led to some "pretty awful scenes" with people calling for the border to be closed.

However the Scottish Conservative health spokesperson tells Drivetime the exact figure is not known.

The first minister has insisted that evidence suggested that "the prevalence of the virus is significantly lower in Scotland right now than in England".

Mr Briggs also tells Drivetime he is glad the SNP won't be making money out of branded masks, after the first minister revealed the cash would be going to charity.

His party leader Jackson Carlaw had accused Nicola Sturgeon of 'profiteering' from Covid virus on the face masks in bitter exchanges at Holyrood.

Image source, Getty Images

Coronavirus shielding in Scotland will be paused from 1 August, the first minister has confirmed.

It follows Nicola Sturgeon's announcement last week that restrictions applying to those most at risk from Covid-19 would be eased.

People in the shielding category have been able to visit indoor shops and meet others inside since 24 July.

From Saturday, the group will be able to follow the same advice as the general population.

The pause means the children of those shielding will be able to go back to school from 11 August and adults can return to work.

But Ms Sturgeon told MSPs that Scottish government advice for everyone remained to work from home wherever possible.

Read more here.