19 May 2020updated 06 Oct 2020 9:45am

Scotland to begin easing lockdown next week, Sturgeon says

Scotland will take its first steps out of lockdown next week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The government will publish a “route map” for easing restrictions on Thursday. “My hope and intention is we will take the first concrete steps on that journey next week,” she said, adding that people could “increase both the likelihood and the extent of that by sticking to the rules now”.

Sturgeon also announced a further £33m to get people back to work in Scotland. Most of the money would go towards the Fair Start Scotland employment support scheme, and would be particularly focused on young people, the disabled and single parents.