Summary

  • Education Secretary John Swinney says that all results that were downgraded this year "will be withdrawn"

  • However, candidates whose grades were bumped above teacher estimates will not have them downgraded

  • Following the changes, the 2020 Nat 5 pass rate stands at 88.9% (+10.7); the Higher pass rate is 89.2% (+14.4) and the Advanced Higher pass rate sits at 93.1% (+13.7)

  • Nicola Sturgeon says she would not expect Celtic or Aberdeen to play their next scheduled games because of coronavirus rule breaches

  • It comes after Boli Bolingoli admitted he played in Sunday's match against Kilmarnock despite having recently returned from Spain without quarantining

  • Pupils in Shetland and the Scottish Borders return to school for the first time since March

  • The number of positive cases rose by 52 in the last 24 hours with 27 in the Grampian area and 13 in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area

  • In total, 165 positive cases are associated with the Aberdeen pubs cluster, but the rate of increases appears to be slowing

  • The trend of no new deaths from positive virus results continues

  1. Coming up... Statement on SQA grades row from John Swinneypublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has admitted her government "did not get it right" with the system used to produce grades for Scottish school pupils.

    Education Secretary John Swinney will announce his plans to tackle the problem at 2.50pm - but what are his options? Find out here.

    Education Secretary John Swinney will make a statement on TuesdayImage source, REUTERS
    Image caption,

    Education Secretary John Swinney will make a statement on Tuesday

    Here's the schedule for Covid business at Holyrood this afternoon:

    2.05-2.20 pm:Topical Questions on local restrictions in Aberdeen, NHS staff pay and conditions and dirty camping

    2.20-2.50 pm: Ministerial Statement: Reporting to Parliament on Coronavirus legislation

    2.50-3.50 pm: Ministerial Statement: SQA exam results 2020

    3.50-5.00 pm: Ministerial Statement: Covid-19

    5:00 pm: Decision Time

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

  2. Key points from the Scottish government briefing...published at 13:43 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Nicola Sturgeon

    The row over Celtic and Aberdeen footballers breaching coronavirus rules dominated today's Scottish government briefing. Here are some of the key points

    • Nicola Sturgeon says she would not expect Celtic or Aberdeen to play their next scheduled games because of coronavirus rule breaches
    • It comes after Celtic's Boli Bolingoli admitted he played in Sunday's match against Kilmarnock despite having recently returned from Spain without quarantining
    • The first minister says the postponement of Celtic and Aberdeen matches should be seen as a "yellow card" to Scottish football
    • The lockdown restrictions currently in place in Aberdeen will be reviewed tomorrow
    • 875 contacts have now been identified from the city's 165 cluster cases
    • Across Scotland, 19,079 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, an increase of 52 from yesterday
    • No deaths were registered in the last 24 hours of people who tested positive, meaning the total remains at 2,491.
    • Scotland's young people returning to schools is a "really welcome moment", says Ms Sturgeon
    • £10m to be allocated to help companies recruit apprentices

  3. FM on results: Maybe we just need to accept that 2020 was 'unique'published at 13:29 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    schoolImage source, Getty Images

    Daniel Sanderson from The Telegraph returns to the SQA results for 2020 and their validity.

    The first minister acknowledges the concern that some young people, particularly those from working class backgrounds, think the system is stacked against them no matter how hard they work.

    Quote Message

    Maybe we just need to see 2020 being more unique and just accept that is unique. Hopefully by the exam diet next year we will be out of this and this year will be truly unique.

    Nicola Sturgeon, FM

    The first minister explains that if some teacher estimates are statistically above exam predictions, when that is weighed against the "enormous disadvantage that young people have been served up as a result of Covid, then maybe we're just balancing that out a little bit".

  4. Can you spread coronavirus if you are asymptomatic?published at 13:23 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    graphicImage source, Getty Images

    In response to a question from The Times, Scotland's national clinical director says the science behind asymptomatic spread is changing all the time.

    "We now think that you spread the virus pre-symptomatically for a couple of days, probably not quite as dramatically as you do when you have symptoms. That would make physical sense because you cough and splutter more when you have the symptoms.

    "But true asymptomatic is harder to find. There are some but they don't seem to spread it to the same extent as the pre-symptomatic and the symptomatic."

    Prof Jason Leitch says the testing strategy changes along with the science. He says there is some testing of asymptomatic people linked to the Aberdeen cluster in order to work out the extent of the spread.

  5. What would it take for John Swinney to get a red card?published at 13:13 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon

    Christine Lavelle from the Scottish Sun says the first minister has threatened Scottish football with a red card if it does not improve. She asks what it will take for her Education Secretary John Swinney to be sent off for his part in the school results problems?

    Ms Sturgeon says: "On exam results, we are setting out how we are going to sort it for young people.

    "That's what young people want to see.

    "The politics of it, we will deal it when we have to deal with it but my focus is on the substantive solution."

  6. WATCH: Football players ignoring guidance 'not acceptable'published at 13:12 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

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  7. 'Let's make sure the red card stays in the pocket'published at 13:09 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    briefing

    Neil Pooran from PA asks how close the first minister is to using her red card and to cancelling the return of professional football altogether.

    The first minister replies: "I'd rather focus on trying to persuade football players not to get into this position.

    Ms Sturgeon continues the referee analogy somewhat tongue in cheek and adds: "Let's make sure the red card stays in the pocket."

    More seriously she warns it is down to all of us to keep the virus under control

    It is down to individual football players to decide they don't go to Spain and come back and put everyone at risk or go for a meal on a Saturday night in a city centre restaurant, she points out.

    That's because as professional footballers they should understand their responsibility to the public health of the country and their status as role models, she adds.

    "I hope the red card never has to come out as we'd all lose if that ends up becoming the situation."

  8. FM: 'Footballers need to act as role models'published at 13:05 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Nicola SturgeonImage source, FM

    In response to a question from Sky Sports, Ms Sturgeon says she hopes the issue of footballers not following the coronavirus restrictions is not widespread.

    She says she does not want the whole of the football season to be in jeopardy.

    "But there cannot be one rule for football players and one rule for everyone else," she says.

    Ms Sturgeon says there are real consequences from breaking the rules as two Aberdeen players found when they caught the virus.

    Quote Message

    My message to footballers, who are given permission to play on strict conditions, is that you are role models. I think it is reasonable to expect you to live up to those responsibilities.

    Nicola Sturgeon, FM

  9. SUMMARY: Celtic and Aberdeen games offpublished at 13:01 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Boli BolingoliImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Boli Bolingoli

    Celtic and Aberdeen's matches are to be called off this week after their players broke lockdown rules, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

    Celtic defender Boli Bolingoli flew to Spain without the club's knowledge, failed to quarantine, then played in Sunday's match against Kilmarnock.

    Ms Sturgeon said this was a "flagrant breach" of the guidelines.

    The previous weekend eight Aberdeen players broke lockdown regulations by visiting a bar together.

  10. National Clinical Director: 'Celtic player put his team and others at risk'published at 12:57 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Prof Leitch tells the briefing that Celtic player Boli Bolingoli went to Spain, a country assessed as high risk, and came back to work.

    Quote Message

    He put both his team and the opposing team at risk of catching the coronavirus. Therefore there has to be an implication in public health terms for those he was in contact with and their contact with others.

    Prof Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director

    Prof Leitch says he has to take that seriously.

    "If it had been me or the first minister who had flown to Spain for 24 hours then we would have to take that seriously," he says.

  11. 'I hope you can hear in my voice how disappointed I was'published at 12:55 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Prof Jason Leitch

    Scotland's national clinical director Jason Leitch says he spent a lot of time working to allow football to go ahead.

    Prof Leitch explains that a meeting with football authorities this morning went well as he emphasised the dangers of the virus.

    "They put at risk two things, they put at risk principally the health of the population," he explains.

    The national clinical director also warns they put at risk the return of elite sport.

    "I hope you can hear in my voice how disappointed I was yesterday."

  12. 'Football needs to get its house in order'published at 12:52 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    In response to an STV question on the postponement of Aberdeen and Celtic games, Ms Sturgeon says she does not "order the football authorities to do anything", but she does want them to take their responsibilities seriously.

    "We still have an outbreak in Aberdeen and given the circumstances around Celtic, I am simply being clear that I would not expect to see either team playing over the course of the week," she said.

    She said she was looking for the SPFL and SFA to assure her the football had "its house in order".

    Quote Message

    To make sure that players understand their responsibilities, they owe it to their fans not to put football in jeopardy. Let's hope this is a turning point and that yellow card never becomes a red card.

    Nicola Sturgeon, FM

  13. 'Consider today the yellow card, the next time it will be the red card'published at 12:49 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    FM

    Chris McLaughlin from BBC Scotland asks that given what has happened in the past week, does the first minister regret giving football the go ahead when she did.

    The first minister replies she very much regrets "some football players seem incapable of living up to their responsibilities".

    Ms Sturgeon reminds us of her previous frustration with Aberdeen City Football Club last week.

    She says she dispatched Jason Leitch to speak to all of the clubs to reinforce the importance of the guidance.

    While that meeting was taking place, the news of the Celtic player flagrantly breaching the guidelines came through.

    Quote Message

    This is just not acceptable. We can't have privileged football players just deciding they are not going to bother.

    Nicola Sturgeon, FM

    She says talks are going on to let clubs say how they will put their "house in order".

    The first minister says "we have to be very clear this situation is not acceptable.

    "You should not be expecting to see Aberdeen or Celtic play in the coming week she adds.

    "Consider today the yellow card, the next time it will be the red card."

  14. Celtic and Aberdeen games off after Covid breachespublished at 12:45 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Breaking News image

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the two clubs will not be playing matches in the coming week.

    She said Scottish football should consider the latest breach a "yellow card".

    'Yellow card' warning as clubs' matches called off

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the two clubs should not be playing matches in the coming week.

    Read More
  15. How schools are applying rules?published at 12:43 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    National Clinical Director Jason Leitch says this is a big week as pupils start to return to school.

    Prof Leitch says he wants to take the five rules of the government's FACTS advice and relate it to the new school environment

    1. F for Face coverings - Pupils do not have to wear them but adults in school should if they are not able to socially distance and will be spending more than 15 minutes together. Face covering must be worn on public transport.
    2. A for Avoid crowded places. teachers and other staff should not be gathering together.
    3. C for Clean your hands and surface regularly. "We are encouraging pupils and staff to focus on this," Prof Leitch says.
    4. T for Two-metre distance. Teachers, staff and other adults should keep this distance from each other in schools - and where possible from children. Primary children do not need to distance from each other. Secondary pupils should physically distance as much as possible.
    5. S for Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms. Prof Leitch says: "The whole school community should be super vigilant for symptoms."

    "Anyone with symptoms or who has had contact with someone with symptoms should not attend school," he says. They will be asked to return home and get tested. If positive, they must isolate for 10 days.

  16. Return of schools a 'really welcome moment' says FMpublished at 12:39 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    schoolImage source, Getty Images

    Nicola Sturgeon calls the return of schools a milestone that will undoubtedly cause some anxiety for pupils, parents and teachers, she says.

    The first minister says: "It is nevertheless a really welcome moment."

    Ms Sturgeon reiterates her call for people to work from home if they can.

    She stresses again people must follow the five pieces of advice in FACTS: They are:

    • Face coverings in enclosed spaces
    • Avoid crowded places
    • Clean hands and surfaces regularly
    • Two metre distancing
    • Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms
  17. £10m to be allocated to help companies recruit apprenticespublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    The first minister says the government will focus on trying to tackle youth unemployment.

    That is why a youth guarantee of opportunities for people aged 18 to 24 has been established and Fiona Hyslop will say more about that in parliament tomorrow, explains Ms Sturgeon.

    She adds there is a significant fall in the number of people being taken on as modern apprentices.

    The first minister announces £10m to be allocated to help companies recruit apprentices.

  18. Early figures suggest numbers claiming unemployment benefit may have doubled in a yearpublished at 12:34 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    signImage source, Getty Images

    The first minister moves on to talk about the latest labour market statistics for Scotland.

    Ms Sturgeon says from April to June unemployment increased by 11,000 to 124,000, compared to the three months from January to March.

    The unemployment rate rose from 4.1% to 4.5% and the employment rate fell from 74.7% to 74.3%.

    Experimental figures show that the number of people claiming unemployment benefit may have doubled from a year ago.

  19. Update on Aberdeen lockdown restrictions expected tomorrowpublished at 12:29 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Aberdeen

    The first minister says it is likely new cases and contacts in Aberdeen will be identified for at least the next few days.

    The restrictions currently in place in Aberdeen will be reviewed tomorrow, she says.

  20. Rate of infection in Aberdeen cluster appears to be slowing downpublished at 12:27 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    pub

    The first minister says the rate of infection in the Aberdeen cluster appears to be slowing and reiterates that 27 cases have been confirmed in the Grampian health board area.

    253 cases have been identified in Aberdeen since the 26th of July.

    "165 of these we think are associated with the same cluster linked to Aberdeen pubs, and in terms of the cluster that is an increase of eight since yesterday," explains the first minister.

    "So the rate of increase appears to be slowing down, but of course we remain very vigilant," adds Ms Sturgeon.

    875 contacts have now been identified of those 165 cases.