Summary

  • The first minister says residents in three of the country's biggest council areas will be unable to make indoor visits to other households

  • The three districts are Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire. Some 800,000 people will be affected.

  • The restrictions will be applied at midnight tonight and run for two weeks, with a review in a week's time

  • Schools in these three local authority areas will remain open

  • Earlier today, the first minister outlined her government's priorities for 2020/2021

  • She says young people will be guaranteed a job, education or formal training under a new scheme

  • Nicola Sturgeon says she will prioritise jobs and training for young people with a Youth Guarantee

  • The Scottish Conservatives have called for a "massive" investment in the country's transport infrastructure

  • Scottish Labour want the government to bring forward the Scottish Child Payment

Live Reporting

BBC Scotland News

  1. Scottish Labour unveils plan to 'transform' Scottish economy

    Electric busALEXANDER DENNIS

    About 130,000 jobs could be created by transforming Scotland's economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Scottish Labour's leader.

    Richard Leonard said a "Green new deal" was needed to tackle both the economic crisis and climate crisis.

    His proposals include building 12,000 council homes each year and investing £100m in new electric buses.

    He also wants to employ and train a new workforce to restore the natural environment and tackle climate change.

    Read more.

  2. Scottish Conservatives want three-lane M8 to help 'power up' Scotland

    Traffic on the M8Getty Images

    Nicola Sturgeon will shortly set out her plans for economic recovery and job creation in this afternoon’s programme for government.

    The Scottish Conservative leader has already called for "massive" investment in transport infrastructure including widening the M8 to three lanes.

    Douglas Ross said the country had been economically divided for too long and that big projects would bring people "closer together".

    He told BBC Scotland his "power up Scotland" plan would focus on getting the unemployed back into work.

    The resulting increase in tax revenue would help fund the projects, he added.

    Read more.

  3. MSPs ask topical questions...

    Question marksThinkstock

    Before the first minister begins her statement, chamber business begins today with topical questions:

    1. Tory MSP Jamie Greene will ask how many pupils have tested positive for Covid-19 since schools reopened.
    2. Labour MSP Rhoda Grant will ask why the Scottish Welfare Fund is reportedly being underutilised.
    3. SNP MSP John Mason will ask about advice service availability and adequacy for people across Scotland.

  4. Sturgeon to announce 'national mission to create jobs'

    Job Centre PlusPA Media

    Nicola Sturgeon is to put a "national mission to create jobs" at the heart of her plans for the year ahead in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The first minister is to prioritise jobs and training for young people in her annual "programme for government".

    She said she wanted to see Scotland "rebuild an economy that is stronger, fairer and more sustainable".

    Opposition parties have called for more investment in transport, childcare, housing and support for local firms.

    The number of people in work in Scotland has been hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown, with a sharp rise in those claiming benefits and more than 700,000 staff placed on furlough.

  5. Government urged to tackle 'growing inequalities'

    Run down housingPA Media

    Nicola Sturgeon will set out her plans for economic recovery and job creation in this afternoon’s programme for government.

    The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has urged the government to focus on tackling “growing inequalities” and ensure there is a “joined up strategy” that will “benefit real people”.

    Speaking on BBC Good Morning Scotland, general secretary Roz Foyer said: “We’d like to see a really radical programme being brought forward by government.

    “That’s about creating good, high quality jobs, and that means investing in key skills, it means investing in local supply chains for major public projects.”

  6. Good afternoon

    Nicola SturgeonPA Media

    Good afternoon and welcome to our live page coverage of the Scottish government's statement on its plans for the year ahead.

    The first minister will outline her administration's legislative and non-legislative programme. This is the last parliamentary session before the 2021 Holyrood election.

    Nicola Sturgeon looks set to signal moves towards the creation of a national care service for Scotland.

    Ahead of her address, the first minister will provide an update on the latest coronavirus statistics.