UK unemployment has risen to 5.1% - its highest level in almost five years, official figures show.

People with mild or moderate learning disabilities will now also be offered the jab in the next priority group.

First evidence from the UK's vaccine programme shows a reduction in hospital admissions in Scotland.

The two sides vow to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol and "address all outstanding issues".

Parts of Scotland are affected by heavy snowfall as temperature hits 11-year low.

Seafood and fishing industry bodies highlight post-Brexit export problems to MPs on the Scottish Affairs Committee.

Despite the most magnificent conditions in 11 years, the slopes remain closed because of lockdown.

Multiple factors will determine when an easing of restrictions comes, from vaccine effectiveness to hospital admissions rates.

Figures suggest exports of single malt have fallen by a third since a 25% tariff was imposed in 2019.

Nicola Sturgeon is expected to give details on the opening of schools to "some" children.

Nicola Sturgeon says the NHS is "ahead of schedule" in rolling out vaccines to the over-80s by Friday's deadline.

Financial regulators in the US and UK say they are monitoring share trading and potential market abuse.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes says she wants to provide "stability and certainty" for people and businesses.

Boris Johnson says most people in Scotland are focused on defeating Covid rather than another referendum.

The boss of Scotland's Railways says "difficult decisions" have to be made to save taxpayer money.

The number people looking for work decreased by about 1,000 between September and November.

A pilot programme for 24/7 vaccinations is among options being considered by the Scottish government.

The tech giant says it will remove its main search function from Australia if it passes a new law.

Modelling suggests that lockdown has "stabilised" the spread of new cases in Scotland.

The youngest and oldest pupils, plus those with additional support needs will be among the first to return to classrooms.

Mainland Scotland and some islands to remain under toughest coronavirus rules until at least mid-February.

The first minister says her statement to MSPs will concern the duration of Scotland's restrictions.

Grants of £1,500 are being made available but those in receipt of benefits such as Universal Credit, are not eligible.

Soldiers from the Royal Army Medical Corps and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards are involved in the effort.

Scotland's education secretary says it will be a challenge for schools to reopen as normal by 1st February.

Richard Sharp says the BBC represents good value, but how it is funded "may be worth reassessing".

Restrictions around takeaway food and click-and-collect services in Scotland are to be toughened.

Scotland's first minister says the current restrictions are "very unlikely" to be lifted at the end of the month.

About 560,000 people will have been vaccinated by the beginning of next month, the health secretary says.

Teaching for the vast majority of students will be online only until at least the end of February.

In a TV address, Labour's leader says millions of doses need to be given each week by the end of January.

Mainland Scotland faces tougher restrictions from midnight, and schools will remain closed until February.

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine programme is being rolled out less than a week after it became the second approved in the UK.

The deal between the UK and EU ends months of arguments over business rules and fishing rights.

While this is a "critical step forward", seed potatoes are not included because of EU regulatory fears.

Officials continue to thrash out final details, after weeks of argument over fishing and business rules.

Travel restrictions and quarantine rules have been introduced to limit the spread.

Ministers meet to discuss how to stem the spread of a new fast-spreading variant of the coronavirus.

Nicola Sturgeon warns that the current top level of restrictions may need to be tightened further.

Officers in Scotland "will act" if they believe there is a "flagrant" breach of travel restrictions.

In a key policy speech, the Labour leader set out plans for the "boldest devolution project in a generation".

The health secretary was speaking as three council areas prepare to move to a tougher level of restrictions.

An airfield could be used as a lorry park in the event of post-Brexit delays at Cairnryan.

UK and EU negotiators are trying to agree a post-Brexit trade deal by 31 December.

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and East Lothian will all move up to level three of the country's tiered system.

All 32 local authority areas in the country will be assessed by politicians and public health officials.

A final decision on a deal was expected on Sunday, but the two sides sent negotiators back to the table.

Annie Innes, 90, from South Lanarkshire, is the first person to be be vaccinated in a care home.

Nicola Sturgeon says Scots planning to meet up at Christmas should cut down on "unnecessary contacts" now.

Players are reporting performance issues and the game crashing on PS4 and Xbox One.

Boris Johnson urges Brussels to make a "big change" as the deadline set by the two sides approaches.

Non-essential shops across much of western Scotland have reopened for the first time in three weeks.

The deal is one of many aimed at replicating trade pacts that will cease when the UK leaves the EU.

A new report identifies that UK and foreign travel was the trigger for the second wave of the pandemic.

Boris Johnson seeks a last minute breakthrough in stalled talks over a UK-EU trade agreement.

The peer-reviewed work in the Lancet medical journal confirms the vaccine is 'safe and protects'.

The UK will drop plans to override the Brexit divorce deal, removing a potential obstacle to a trade deal.

All 11 council areas currently under level four restrictions are to be downgraded to level three on Friday.

As people in Scotland wait to hear what Covid alert level their area will be put in to, we analyse the statistics and ask whether the toughest measures have been working.

A similar structure found in the US last month caused wild speculation online and apparent copycats.

Nicola Sturgeon says 11 councils in west and central Scotland will come out of the highest tier of restrictions.

Patient care could be put at risk if an agreement is not made before the 31 December departure date.

Negotiators will talk on Sunday, but "significant differences" between the two sides in post-Brexit trade talks remain.

EU and UK negotiators call in leaders in last ditch effort to secure a trade deal.

The "ambitious" target for 2030 would see the UK move faster than any major economy, the PM says.

Only the US, Brazil, India and Mexico have recorded more coronavirus deaths than the UK.

The first batches of the vaccine, which arrive in Scotland on Tuesday, will be given to health staff.

The country's education secretary confirms that the Christmas holiday dates will not change.

People in Scotland could start receiving the Covid-19 vaccine from next Tuesday, Nicola Sturgeon says.

Ministers will continue to "look carefully" at Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, but both will remain in level two.

Nicola Sturgeon says the one-off cash payment is to thank health staff for their "extraordinary service".

Government guidance says the bubbles should contain a maximum of eight people over the age of 11.

An increase in the money coming to Scotland but uncertainty about costs and pay awards.

Covid hotspots are still emerging across Scotland, but the number of daily deaths is declining.

Nicola Sturgeon says the existing restrictions in place across Scotland are "having an impact" on the virus.

The number of patients treated within 18 weeks falls by more than half compared to last year, but is now rising.

Nicola Sturgeon says there could be a "careful" easing at Christmas - but does not expect a relaxation at new year.

The level four rules have closed shops and many other businesses across much of central Scotland.

But the government data suggests coronavirus rates in school-age children are still rising.

It is hoped up to one million people could get the jab by the end of January if the vaccines win safety approval.

Boris Johnson says "the safety of the British people must come first" as he outlines a new package.

Rules could be relaxed for a few days, with people urged to travel by car and not hold big gatherings.

The deputy first minister says prioritising schools is "absolutely central" to the wellbeing of children.

No 10 has not denied reports that Boris Johnson described devolution as a "disaster" in a meeting with Tory MPs.

No 10 does not deny reports the PM made the comment in a meeting with Tory MPs.

Nicola Sturgeon is to announce whether the toughest Covid restrictions will be imposed in Glasgow and surrounding areas.

Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are to be the new owners of National League club Wrexham, whose fans overwhelmingly backed the sale.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says tougher restrictions in the west of Scotland are "likely" but "not inevitable".

Prof Ugur Sahin also raises hopes the vaccine, developed with Pfizer. could halve Covid transmission.

Scotland's nine-game unbeaten run comes to an end following Jan Gregus's first-half goal in Slovakia in Nations League Group B2.

Councils in the west of Scotland are told it is possible they may be placed under the highest level of restrictions.

The £1.7bn project will see a two-mile tunnel built near the ancient monument in Wiltshire.

Scotland's 23-year absence from major men's tournaments is finally over after a famous shootout win in Serbia.

Common rules for people to follow across the UK are being considered for the festive period.

National 5 exams in Scotland have already been cancelled for 2021 but Highers are currently scheduled to go ahead.

Fife, Angus and Perth and Kinross will be moved from level two to level three of Scotland's five-tier system.

The first minister does not expect any areas to move to a lower level when restrictions are reviewed on Tuesday.

Tackling greenhouse gas emissions will need the biggest change since swapping horses for tractors, a report says.

The first minister says she may enforce travel restrictions with fines when Covid rules are reviewed.

A UK minister appears to contradict the PM over whether full furlough will be available to Scotland after 2 December.

The prime minister says the furlough scheme will "continue to be available wherever it is needed".

The launch of the new five-level system comes as England prepares for a month-long national lockdown.

MPs overturn a Lords amendment requiring trade deals to meet post-Brexit UK food standards.

The simple but crucial number at the heart of lockdown decisions across the UK.