christmas — december, as we come out of the christmas weekend, and at least until the — christmas weekend, and at least until the first end injanuary when we witt— until the first end injanuary when we will review this advice again, please _ we will review this advice again, please go — we will review this advice again, please go back to limiting your contact — please go back to limiting your contact as much as you possibly can, please _ contact as much as you possibly can, please stay _ contact as much as you possibly can, please stay at home as much as is feasible _ please stay at home as much as is feasible. when you do go out, maintain — feasible. when you do go out, maintain physical distancing from people _ maintain physical distancing from people not in your own group, and difficult _ people not in your own group, and difficult though it is, please follow — difficult though it is, please follow this advice over a new year, minimise _ follow this advice over a new year, minimise hogmanay socialising as much _ minimise hogmanay socialising as much as— minimise hogmanay socialising as much as you can. if we all follow the advice — much as you can. if we all follow the advice to minimise the contact we have _ the advice to minimise the contact we have outside our own households, we have outside our own households, we will _ we have outside our own households, we will help _ we have outside our own households, we will help limit the spread of infections. though this is the bedrock— infections. though this is the bedrock of our plan for the immediate period ahead. however, while _ immediate period ahead. however, while our— immediate period ahead. however, while our core advice is to reduce socialising — while our core advice is to reduce socialising and stay—at—home as much as feasible. _ socialising and stay—at—home as much as feasible, the cabinet'sjudgment is that— as feasible, the cabinet'sjudgment is that we _ as feasible, the cabinet'sjudgment is that we must also take some further— is that we must also take some further steps. we are now proposing additional restrictions, none of these are being — restrictions, none of these are being proposed lightly but we considered necessary to help stem the increase in cases, say god help and protect— the increase in cases, say god help and protect the nhs, emergency services — and protect the nhs, emergency services and the economy —— help and protect— services and the economy —— help and protect the _ services and the economy —— help and protect the nhs. 0n the 26th of december, for a period of up to three _ december, for a period of up to three weeks, we intend to place limits— three weeks, we intend to place limits on— three weeks, we intend to place limits on the size of live public events — limits on the size of live public events that can take place. this does _ events that can take place. this does not — events that can take place. this does not apply to private events like weddings, but for indoors stag events— like weddings, but for indoors stag events the — like weddings, but for indoors stag events the limit will be 100, for indoor— events the limit will be 100, for indoor seated events 200 —— indoor seated _ indoor seated events 200 —— indoor seated events the limit will be 100. this will of course make sports matches — this will of course make sports matches including football effectively spectator free over this three _ effectively spectator free over this three week period, a situation similar— three week period, a situation similar to _ three week period, a situation similar to that three week period, a situation similarto that in three week period, a situation similar to that in wales from boxing day. similar to that in wales from boxing dav it— similar to that in wales from boxing dav it will— similar to that in wales from boxing day. it will also mean that large—scale hogmanay celebrations including _ large—scale hogmanay celebrations including the planned one here in our capital— including the planned one here in our capital will not proceed and i know— our capital will not proceed and i know how— our capital will not proceed and i know how disappointing this will be for those _ know how disappointing this will be for those looking forward to these events _ for those looking forward to these events and for the organisers of them _ events and for the organisers of them but — events and for the organisers of them but i — events and for the organisers of them but i want to underline why we think this _ them but i want to underline why we think this difficult decision is necessary. we note that the much higher— necessary. we note that the much higher transmissibility of omicron means— higher transmissibility of omicron means large gatherings have the potential to become very rapid super spreader— potential to become very rapid super spreader events but in large numbers at risk— spreader events but in large numbers at risk of— spreader events but in large numbers at risk of getting infected very quickly, — at risk of getting infected very quickly, so limiting these events help reduce the risk of widespread transmission. it also cuts down the transmission. it also cuts down the transmission risks associated with travel— transmission risks associated with travel to— transmission risks associated with travel to and from such events, and second, _ travel to and from such events, and second, and — travel to and from such events, and second, and this is not an insignificant point about these large — insignificant point about these large events put an additional trurden— large events put an additional burden on emergency services especially the police and ambulance, and at _ especially the police and ambulance, and at a _ especially the police and ambulance, and at a time when these services are already— and at a time when these services are already under severe pressure, and also _ are already under severe pressure, and also dealing with a high staff absences, limiting large—scale events— absences, limiting large—scale events will help them focus on delivering essential services. i would — delivering essential services. i would ask the public, i know the decision— would ask the public, i know the decision will disappoint them, but please _ decision will disappoint them, but please understand the reasons. we intend _ please understand the reasons. we intend to _ please understand the reasons. we intend to issue guidance to the effect — intend to issue guidance to the effect that nonprofessional indoor contact _ effect that nonprofessional indoor contact sports for adults should not take place — contact sports for adults should not take place during the three—week period _ take place during the three—week period from the 26, this is because these _ period from the 26, this is because these activities where physical distancing is not possible, also create — distancing is not possible, also create a — distancing is not possible, also create a heightened risk of transmission, and finally, from the 27th, _ transmission, and finally, from the 27th. again— transmission, and finally, from the 27th, again for up to three weeks, we intend — 27th, again for up to three weeks, we intend to introduce further protections in hospitality settings and other indoor public places, to reduce _ and other indoor public places, to reduce transmission risk in what is through— reduce transmission risk in what is through no— reduce transmission risk in what is through no fault of those who run such— through no fault of those who run such venues come at higher risk environments. i can confirm that the requirement— environments. i can confirm that the requirement for table service only will be _ requirement for table service only will be reintroduced for venues serving — will be reintroduced for venues serving alcohol for consumption on the premises and we will also ask indoor— the premises and we will also ask indoor hospitality and leisure venues — indoor hospitality and leisure venues to make sure one metre distance, — venues to make sure one metre distance, not within but between groups _ distance, not within but between groups of— distance, not within but between groups of people who are attending together~ _ groups of people who are attending together. we will continue to advise people _ together. we will continue to advise people that if they are attending indoor— people that if they are attending indoor hospitality or leisure venues. _ indoor hospitality or leisure venues, rememberour indoor hospitality or leisure venues, remember ouradvice means to minimise _ venues, remember ouradvice means to minimise this, _ venues, remember ouradvice means to minimise this, but they should be no more _ minimise this, but they should be no more than _ minimise this, but they should be no more than three households represented in any group. i know how i represented in any group. i know how i welcome _ represented in any group. i know how i welcome this will be for everyone, but we _ i welcome this will be for everyone, but we believe these precautionary steps _ but we believe these precautionary steps will— but we believe these precautionary steps will help us navigate a difficult _ steps will help us navigate a difficult period more safely. i'm also acutely aware that these decisions and the advice we are giving _ decisions and the advice we are giving the — decisions and the advice we are giving the public have significant financial— giving the public have significant financial implications for many businesses. last week i announced £100 _ businesses. last week i announced £100 million of support from within our existing resources for affected sectors _ our existing resources for affected sectors and i can also confirm eligibility— sectors and i can also confirm eligibility and guidance for the hospitality sector will be published on the _ hospitality sector will be published on the scottish government website today, _ on the scottish government website today, and _ on the scottish government website today, and since then the treasury has given— today, and since then the treasury has given approval for money that would _ has given approval for money that would have come to us later be allocated — would have come to us later be allocated now and as i've said we had already budgeted for most of that money and so we can't allocate it now _ that money and so we can't allocate it now without causing significant shortfalls — it now without causing significant shortfalls elsewhere including in the health budget, money simply cannot— the health budget, money simply cannot be — the health budget, money simply cannot be spent twice. but we estimate _ cannot be spent twice. but we estimate that the treasury announcement do give us additional spending _ announcement do give us additional spending power now of £175 million and i_ spending power now of £175 million and i can— spending power now of £175 million and i can confirm we will allocate all of _ and i can confirm we will allocate all of this— and i can confirm we will allocate all of this to business support. the treasury— all of this to business support. the treasury has also in the last hour announced — treasury has also in the last hour announced additional funding for business — announced additional funding for business but unfortunately it would appear— business but unfortunately it would appear the announcement generates no further— appear the announcement generates no further funding for scotland and any consequentjewels are further funding for scotland and any consequent jewels are already contained within previous announcements by the treasury —— consequentials. but the scottish government will allocate a further £100 million from elsewhere in the budget— £100 million from elsewhere in the budget between now and the end of the financial year. this will involve _ the financial year. this will involve difficult decisions but the impact _ involve difficult decisions but the impact of— involve difficult decisions but the impact of the current crisis on business _ impact of the current crisis on business is _ impact of the current crisis on business is such that we consider it essential — business is such that we consider it essential. taken together this adds up essential. taken together this adds up to— essential. taken together this adds up to a _ essential. taken together this adds up to a fund of £375 million that will help— up to a fund of £375 million that will help support businesses for the unavoidable impacts of our decisions over the _ unavoidable impacts of our decisions over the next three weeks, significantly more proportionately than the — significantly more proportionately than the chancellor has just announced the businesses elsewhere in the _ announced the businesses elsewhere in the uk _ announced the businesses elsewhere in the uk. while this is significant funding _ in the uk. while this is significant funding i— in the uk. while this is significant funding i know it will not fully compensate business and as i said last week— compensate business and as i said last week my view is that the scale and urgency of the omicron challenge reguires _ and urgency of the omicron challenge requires financial support for business _ requires financial support for business on a scale similar to that at the _ business on a scale similar to that at the start— business on a scale similar to that at the start of the pandemic and current— at the start of the pandemic and current uk— at the start of the pandemic and current uk funding arrangements means— current uk funding arrangements means only the treasury has the borrowing — means only the treasury has the borrowing powers to provide support on such _ borrowing powers to provide support on such a _ borrowing powers to provide support on such a scale and also that financial— on such a scale and also that financial support at scale is triggered only when the uk government takes decisions for england. — government takes decisions for england, and all of this means our ability— england, and all of this means our ability to— england, and all of this means our ability to act to protect public health— ability to act to protect public health and compensate individuals and businesses affected is curtailed. this can't be right in a public— curtailed. this can't be right in a public health emergency. while up—to—date's treasury announcement is a welcome _ up—to—date's treasury announcement is a welcome acknowledgement of the crisis businesses face, it doesn't io crisis businesses face, it doesn't go far— crisis businesses face, it doesn't go far enough and we will therefore continue _ go far enough and we will therefore continue to— go far enough and we will therefore continue to press the uk government to take _ continue to press the uk government to take the _ continue to press the uk government to take the threat of omicron was seriously— to take the threat of omicron was seriously and to act accordingly. but in _ seriously and to act accordingly. but in the — seriously and to act accordingly. but in the meantime we will and live up but in the meantime we will and live up -- _ but in the meantime we will and live up -- we _ but in the meantime we will and live up -- we will, — but in the meantime we will and live up —— we will, indeed we must, live up up —— we will, indeed we must, live up to— up —— we will, indeed we must, live up to our— up —— we will, indeed we must, live up to our responsibilities to protect— up to our responsibilities to protect health and livelihoods in scotland — protect health and livelihoods in scotland. before i conclude with an update _ scotland. before i conclude with an update on — scotland. before i conclude with an update on vaccination let me cover a couple _ update on vaccination let me cover a couple of _ update on vaccination let me cover a couple of further points, it remains our priority— couple of further points, it remains our priority and i hope that of parliament to reopen schools as normal — parliament to reopen schools as normal after the christmas holiday and one _ normal after the christmas holiday and one reason for asking adults to make _ and one reason for asking adults to make sacrifices for a further period after _ make sacrifices for a further period after christmas is to help minimise any impact — after christmas is to help minimise any impact on children's education, but to— any impact on children's education, but to help — any impact on children's education, but to help make sure schools are safe environments for young people and staff, _ safe environments for young people and staff, updated guidance based on recommendations from the education advisory— recommendations from the education advisory subgroup was published at the end _ advisory subgroup was published at the end of— advisory subgroup was published at the end of last week. colleges and universities are also assessing any steps _ universities are also assessing any steps they— universities are also assessing any steps they need to take for the new term and _ steps they need to take for the new term and some are returning to a default _ term and some are returning to a default model of online learning for the start— default model of online learning for the start of the new term. for everyone _ the start of the new term. for everyone involved in education, this has been _ everyone involved in education, this has been another exceptionally difficult — has been another exceptionally difficult term, and i want to say a heartfelt — difficult term, and i want to say a heartfelt thank you to all those who have helped make sure that children have helped make sure that children have been— have helped make sure that children have been well supported and indeed to children _ have been well supported and indeed to children and young people themselves for the tough times they continue _ themselves for the tough times they continue to suffer at such an important stage of their lives. secondly, i want to cover up test and protect — secondly, i want to cover up test and protect and the current surge in cases— and protect and the current surge in cases is— and protect and the current surge in cases is putting significant pressure on test and protect and i'm grateful— pressure on test and protect and i'm grateful to— pressure on test and protect and i'm grateful to all the teams for working _ grateful to all the teams for working so hard to help break the chains _ working so hard to help break the chains of— working so hard to help break the chains of transmission and from this week— chains of transmission and from this week test— chains of transmission and from this week test and protect will flex its approach — week test and protect will flex its approach is necessary to make sure priority— approach is necessary to make sure priority is— approach is necessary to make sure priority is given to high—risk settings _ priority is given to high—risk settings like hospitals and care homes — settings like hospitals and care homes where outbreaks can cause the most time, _ homes where outbreaks can cause the most time, and for many of us this means— most time, and for many of us this means that — most time, and for many of us this means that if we test positive our contacts — means that if we test positive our contacts is — means that if we test positive our contacts is more likely to be by text or— contacts is more likely to be by text or e—mail rather than by phone call, please — text or e—mail rather than by phone call, please make sure you respond and complete the online form, this helps _ and complete the online form, this helps your— and complete the online form, this helps your contacts get the right advice _ helps your contacts get the right advice as— helps your contacts get the right advice as quickly as possible. if you are — advice as quickly as possible. if you are the contact of someone who tests— you are the contact of someone who tests positive please follow test and protect advice and this will help— and protect advice and this will help slow— and protect advice and this will help slow the spread of the virus. let me _ help slow the spread of the virus. let me turn— help slow the spread of the virus. let me turn finally to boosters which — let me turn finally to boosters which are _ let me turn finally to boosters which are our best line of defence against _ which are our best line of defence against omicron and they are what will get _ against omicron and they are what will get us — against omicron and they are what will get us through and out of this difficult _ will get us through and out of this difficult phase, i believe. there has been — difficult phase, i believe. there has been a significant acceleration of the _ has been a significant acceleration of the programme and i thank everyone _ of the programme and i thank everyone involved. two large—scale vaccination — everyone involved. two large—scale vaccination centres have opened this week at— vaccination centres have opened this week at hampden park in glasgow and at the _ week at hampden park in glasgow and at the end _ week at hampden park in glasgow and at the end international conference centre~ _ at the end international conference centre. yesterday 69,135 boosters were administered and that means well over— were administered and that means well over half an out of the adult population has had a third dose or a booster, _ population has had a third dose or a booster, and last week i said the target _ booster, and last week i said the target was — booster, and last week i said the target was to have 80% of the eligible — target was to have 80% of the eligible population vaccinated with boosters _ eligible population vaccinated with boosters by the time at the bell strikes — boosters by the time at the bell strikes on — boosters by the time at the bell strikes on hogmanay and i can confirm — strikes on hogmanay and i can confirm that we are now confident we have the _ confirm that we are now confident we have the capacity to meet that target — have the capacity to meet that target but to reach it or to get close — target but to reach it or to get close we — target but to reach it or to get close we need to have everyone who is eligible _ close we need to have everyone who is eligible to come forward. if you have _ is eligible to come forward. if you have an _ is eligible to come forward. if you have an appointment booked for january. — have an appointment booked for january, now reschedule it for december, an appointment will be available _ december, an appointment will be available through christmas eve and next week— available through christmas eve and next week unto and including hogmanay so please book an appointment now. alternatively check out the _ appointment now. alternatively check out the location of clinics and go there _ out the location of clinics and go there instead. getting fully vaccinated is the best thing any of us can— vaccinated is the best thing any of us can do— vaccinated is the best thing any of us can do to protect ourselves, our loved _ us can do to protect ourselves, our loved ones — us can do to protect ourselves, our loved ones in — us can do to protect ourselves, our loved ones in the country so please do get _ loved ones in the country so please do get boosted before the bells. this statement in some ways feels distressingly similar to the one i gave _ distressingly similar to the one i gave this — distressingly similar to the one i gave this time last year and i'm again— gave this time last year and i'm again urging people to stay at home as much— again urging people to stay at home as much as — again urging people to stay at home as much as possible before christmas to slow— as much as possible before christmas to slow down a highly infectious new variant— to slow down a highly infectious new variant of— to slow down a highly infectious new variant of covid but although it may not feel— variant of covid but although it may not feel like it we are in a much stronger— not feel like it we are in a much stronger position than last year. we have had _ stronger position than last year. we have had far fewer restrictions in place _ have had far fewer restrictions in place for— have had far fewer restrictions in place for much of this year than was the case _ place for much of this year than was the case in — place for much of this year than was the case in the previous year and christmas — the case in the previous year and christmas day this year will be more normal— christmas day this year will be more normal than — christmas day this year will be more normal than last year and most importantly a rapidly increasing number— importantly a rapidly increasing number of adults is now protected by three doses of vaccine. all of us as individuals— three doses of vaccine. all of us as individuals know what to do to protect — individuals know what to do to protect ourselves and each other. please _ protect ourselves and each other. please make sure you do all of these things. _ please make sure you do all of these things. first — please make sure you do all of these things, first get fully vaccinated as soon— things, first get fully vaccinated as soon as possible, test regularly, and our— as soon as possible, test regularly, and our advice is to stay at home as much _ and our advice is to stay at home as much as— and our advice is to stay at home as much as possible, but if you are meeting — much as possible, but if you are meeting other people, test before you go— meeting other people, test before you go every time. test as close to going _ you go every time. test as close to going as _ you go every time. test as close to going as possible and this is important for christmas day and boxing _ important for christmas day and boxing day and finally, take the other— boxing day and finally, take the other precautions which can help to make _ other precautions which can help to make a _ other precautions which can help to make a difference, work from home when _ make a difference, work from home when possible, stay at home as much as you _ when possible, stay at home as much as you can, _ when possible, stay at home as much as you can, and if you do visit indoor— as you can, and if you do visit indoor public places them at the number— indoor public places them at the number of— indoor public places them at the number of households in your group to a maximum of three, and we are a face -- _ to a maximum of three, and we are a face -- wear— to a maximum of three, and we are a face -- weara— to a maximum of three, and we are a face —— wear a face covering on shops— face —— wear a face covering on shops and _ face —— wear a face covering on shops and on transport, and make sure it _ shops and on transport, and make sure it covers your mouth and nose. keep— sure it covers your mouth and nose. keep windows open if you are meeting indoors _ keep windows open if you are meeting indoors even at this time of year and follow— indoors even at this time of year and follow all advice on hygiene. sticking — and follow all advice on hygiene. sticking to all of this is hard but there _ sticking to all of this is hard but there is— sticking to all of this is hard but there is no— sticking to all of this is hard but there is no doubt whatsoever it will help keep — there is no doubt whatsoever it will help keep everyone safe. i want to enter— help keep everyone safe. i want to enter this — help keep everyone safe. i want to enter this final statement before christmas with a heartfelt thank you to everyone of everything you have done _ to everyone of everything you have done to _ to everyone of everything you have done to help us through another exceptionally tough year, and i wish everyone _ exceptionally tough year, and i wish everyone the happiest and safest christmas possible and of course a much _ christmas possible and of course a much better and brighter new year ahead _ much better and brighter new year ahead. the much better and brighter new year ahead. , ~ , ., ahead. the first minister will now take questions _ ahead. the first minister will now take questions on _ ahead. the first minister will now take questions on the _ ahead. the first minister will now take questions on the issues - ahead. the first minister will now i take questions on the issues raised. i take questions on the issues raised. l intend _ take questions on the issues raised. l intend to _ take questions on the issues raised. i intend to allow _ take questions on the issues raised. i intend to allow 40 _ take questions on the issues raised. i intend to allow 40 minutes - take questions on the issues raised. i intend to allow 40 minutes for- i intend to allow 40 minutes for questions _ i intend to allow 40 minutes for questions. then _ i intend to allow 40 minutes for questions. then we _ i intend to allow 40 minutes for questions. then we will - i intend to allow 40 minutes for questions. then we will move . i intend to allow 40 minutes for. questions. then we will move onto the next _ questions. then we will move onto the next item _ questions. then we will move onto the next item of— questions. then we will move onto the next item of business. - questions. then we will move ontoj the next item of business. douglas ross _ the next item of business. douglas ross. ~ . ., . the next item of business. douglas ross. . ., . . . the next item of business. douglas ross. . . . ross. we are once again facing the unwelcome — ross. we are once again facing the unwelcome reality _ ross. we are once again facing the unwelcome reality of _ ross. we are once again facing the unwelcome reality of this - ross. we are once again facing the unwelcome reality of this new- unwelcome reality of this new variant and new restrictions and everyone in this chamber is to understand and accept the frustration and anger people across scotland are feeling right now but we can get through this. i want to encourage everyone to go out and get their boosterjab and i've got my own scheduled for christmas eve but i also want to say to a proportion of the population out there that we often focus solely on boosters but there are people who have not had their first there are people who have not had theirfirstjab there are people who have not had their firstjab and there are people who have not had theirfirstjab and i want to encourage them to come forward as well. they haven't left it too late and there is no shame turning up to get yourfirstjab now and there is no shame turning up to get your first jab now and the vaccinators simply want to protect you so please consider doing that as well. it is our vaccination scheme in scotland and across the uk that has helped to keep covid under control and it remains our best route out of this and it is absently crucial that we see the scottish and uk governments working together and focused on omicron, but instead over the last week we have seen an unnecessary funding argument that is a distraction to the task at hand. the scottish government expected 268 million which would have been new money but they have now been provided with 440 million. as the institute for fiscal studies made clear yesterday, this 440 million is extra money now. the scottish government has the funding available and scottish businesses are crying out for it. the first minister said last week, businesses are already bleeding every 24 hours counts. so will she tell us when the first grants will start to reach businesses and will it be before christmas or into the new year? the first minister explained in her statement that hundreds of services have been cancelled because of staff absences and there are similar pressures on the emergency services and others, and we raised concerns last week that self isolation guidance for household contacts would lead to these challenges. while well—intentioned in seeking to limit the spread of the virus, the rules could grind many things to a halt. so given that the evidence has shown the impact of these rules on our essential services, can be first minister tell us if she has considered changing the rules so household contacts can end self isolation if they have a negative test and if not issue confident this is sustainable for the economy and public services? mark —— and if not, is she confident this is sustainable for the economy and public services? can i agree with him that it is important to get your firstjab as soon as possible because it is never too late so come forward now and you will be vaccinated and the sooner you get your first, will be vaccinated and the sooner you get yourfirst, the will be vaccinated and the sooner you get your first, the sooner you get your second and then you can get the protection of booster vaccinations. that is a point i will underline. in terms of the funding, i'm not trying to cause a row with anybody, because there are structural problems and how the funding arrangements work, and we have different views on the barnett formula and i will leave that to one side but we have realised it is not for —— not fit for purpose and that was also the view of the governments in wales and northern ireland so we want to change that so we can distribute our health settlements fairly and equitably. i welcome the money, although it is not new money, it is already budgeted for, largely for the health budget, so do spend it now we have to remove my the health service is already planning to use. the announcement made on sunday, we think that gives us extra spending power now, money not already budgeted and i said we will allocate every penny of active business support and between my announcement last week and today we will find through very difficult budgetary decisions between now and the end of the financial year an additional £200 million, and that means we are creating a pot of money to help businesses over the next period of £375 million. that is proportionately in excess of the billion pounds for the whole of the uk that the chancellor has announced today and these grants based on my announcement last week the hospitality is up to £6,800 the hospitality is up to £6,800 the hospitality business that can boast up hospitality business that can boast up to 6000 announced by the chancellor today and we are working to get those grants to businesses as quickly as possible and we are working with councils to do that. on self isolation, this is an important point and it is one that is on an ongoing consideration by the government but the fundamental point i need to make is this, it is not self isolation that is creating staff absences, but the virus that is doing that, and given the infectiousness of omicron, if at this stage we don't have households isolating when one member is positive, we will have many more cases of the virus is spreading and we will compound and not help the problem so that is the position right now but we want to migrate to something more proportion as quickly as possible so i can tell the chamber that the government is actively considering is the booster programme meets its target, moving away from the current situation to something more proportionate but it would be counter productive to do that right now because the household isolation policy at the moment remains one of the protections we have in place. remains one of the protections we have in place-— remains one of the protections we have in place._ can i l have in place. anas sarwar. can i send my condolences _ have in place. anas sarwar. can i send my condolences to - have in place. anas sarwar. can i send my condolences to those i have in place. anas sarwar. can i. send my condolences to those who have lost _ send my condolences to those who have lost a — send my condolences to those who have lost a loved one. i got my booster— have lost a loved one. i got my booster yesterday so i want to thank all of _ booster yesterday so i want to thank all of the _ booster yesterday so i want to thank all of the vaccinators for their efforts — all of the vaccinators for their efforts and i appeal to people, if you have — efforts and i appeal to people, if you have not had your first or second — you have not had your first or second dose, please do, and if you are due _ second dose, please do, and if you are due a _ second dose, please do, and if you are due a booster, please book it. i would _ are due a booster, please book it. i would also — are due a booster, please book it. i would also ask everyone to please wear _ would also ask everyone to please wear a _ would also ask everyone to please wear a mask when appropriate and follow— wear a mask when appropriate and follow the — wear a mask when appropriate and follow the advice and also take a lateral— follow the advice and also take a lateral flow test before meeting others _ lateral flow test before meeting others because this is about protecting you and your family. this is a time _ protecting you and your family. this is a time of— protecting you and your family. this is a time of anxiety for people worried — is a time of anxiety for people worried especially for those in the hospitality, events and leisure industries as well as those who are self—employed and people need the scottish— self—employed and people need the scottish and uk governments to work together— scottish and uk governments to work together in— scottish and uk governments to work together in the national interest at this time _ together in the national interest at this time of crisis. i note the announcements of the chancellor today— announcements of the chancellor today but — announcements of the chancellor today but they don't go far enough. they must— today but they don't go far enough. they must be an increase in the level— they must be an increase in the level of— they must be an increase in the level of statutory sick pay and there — level of statutory sick pay and there must be more significant financial— there must be more significant financial support for the impact on businesses and the self—employed and for the _ businesses and the self—employed and for the sectors that are shut down or as _ for the sectors that are shut down or as good — for the sectors that are shut down or as good as, a furlough scheme or similar— or as good as, a furlough scheme or similar so— or as good as, a furlough scheme or similar so we — or as good as, a furlough scheme or similar so we don't have thousands becoming — similar so we don't have thousands becoming unemployed. there was a 4500 _ becoming unemployed. there was a 4500 limit— becoming unemployed. there was a 4500 limit in scotland but the first minister— 4500 limit in scotland but the first minister suggested that will be increased to 6800 but the many businesses that will go nowhere near covering _ businesses that will go nowhere near covering the impact of the losses they will— covering the impact of the losses they will face over christmas. no one should have to think twice about self isolating because of financial pressures, and last month 30% of people's— pressures, and last month 30% of people's applications for a self application grant were rejected and that has— application grant were rejected and that has piqued at 50% and with some local authorities, that has gone as hi-h local authorities, that has gone as high as— local authorities, that has gone as high as 70% of applications for a self application grant rejected, can this be _ self application grant rejected, can this be reviewed urgently, and all the data — this be reviewed urgently, and all the data published for every local authority. — the data published for every local authority, the criteria expanded and the payment made much quicker? we hope this— the payment made much quicker? we hope this is— the payment made much quicker? we hope this is the last variant but it is highly— hope this is the last variant but it is highly likely it won't be. we must — is highly likely it won't be. we must learn the lessons of delta and 0micron _ must learn the lessons of delta and omicron and we need to build resilience _ omicron and we need to build resilience and contingencies in our public— resilience and contingencies in our public services and the wider svstem, _ public services and the wider system, and the scottish and uk governments must develop a framework and triggers for when restrictions will begin— and triggers for when restrictions will begin and what they will be and what financial package of support will come — what financial package of support will come with it, so will the scottish— will come with it, so will the scottish government commit to starting — scottish government commit to starting that work and that is something we will commit to engage with them _ something we will commit to engage with them actively on because the ongoing _ with them actively on because the ongoing uncertainty only adds to the anxiety— ongoing uncertainty only adds to the anxiety and impact on people's health— anxiety and impact on people's health and well—being? | anxiety and impact on people's health and well-being? i agree about the importance _ health and well-being? i agree about the importance of— health and well-being? i agree about the importance of the _ health and well-being? i agree about the importance of the uk _ health and well-being? i agree about the importance of the uk and - the importance of the uk and scottish governance working together and in many respects we continue to work well together and in the past week and a half i've taken part in three cobra meetings. we have regular discussions over and above that. we have an issue with financing that we cannot unilaterally resolve and anas sarwar has narrated much of that today and the points i make are almost similar to the ones his labour colleague mark drakeford is making in wales so we cannot unilaterally saw these but i hope we can find better ways forward on this. after the announcements i've made today, we will have consultation with businesses to see what additional support can be made available from the additionalfunding support can be made available from the additional funding and what way it is best to make that available. we have already given commitments to hospitality and other sectors, the additional money i'm announcing today will allow us to go further but i agree, it will not fully compensate businesses and that is why i think there should be the reintroduction at this stage of at least a targeted furlough scheme in order to help the most affected sectors so we will do everything we can to help within our own resources and work with colleagues in wales and work with colleagues in wales and northern ireland to get more support from the uk government. i will take away the points on self isolation grant and i accept the premise of the question but i come back to the fact we have a limited pot of money and we have decisions to make about whether we try to focus that money on those most in need or spread it more thinly over a wider range of people by extending eligibility criteria and that is not an easy balance but we put an extra £100 million into self isolation grants and we will consider that again. we have already started work on longer term health resilience and notjust on longer term health resilience and not just about the entry to restrictions or exit from, and i hope this will be the last time we have to impose restrictions but actually more fundamentally as we come out of the acute phase of covid as it becomes more endemic in our society, how do we build the resilience in the economy and health services to deal with that? that work is at an early stage and we are looking at whether our overall covid strategic framework can be and how it can be adapted and we might publish an updated version of this with more of a focus on health resilience in the early part of next year and if members in the chamber have thoughts they want to feed into that i'm sure they will be gratefully received. that i'm sure they will be cratefull received. . ,, , ., , gratefully received. thank you very much. gratefully received. thank you very much- today _ gratefully received. thank you very much- today is _ gratefully received. thank you very much. today is the _ gratefully received. thank you very much. today is the longest - gratefully received. thank you very much. today is the longest night . gratefully received. thank you very | much. today is the longest night of the year— much. today is the longest night of the year and this statement will spell— the year and this statement will spell further darkness to the events sector _ spell further darkness to the events sector that — spell further darkness to the events sector that is already on its knees, and they— sector that is already on its knees, and they were the first, the last to reopen— and they were the first, the last to reopen and — and they were the first, the last to reopen and they will be the first to be asked _ reopen and they will be the first to be asked to close, pantomimes and theatres _ be asked to close, pantomimes and theatres will shut their doors and stadiums— theatres will shut their doors and stadiums will close and hogmanay is cancelled _ stadiums will close and hogmanay is cancelled again and all of this has a knock-on— cancelled again and all of this has a knock—on effect to pubs and restaurants and they will all need to be _ restaurants and they will all need to be made compensated pound for pound _ to be made compensated pound for pound and — to be made compensated pound for pound and drink for drink. we are seeing— pound and drink for drink. we are seeing a— pound and drink for drink. we are seeing a return to the —— pingdemic so i seeing a return to the —— pingdemic so i would _ seeing a return to the —— pingdemic so i would like to ask about pcr testing — so i would like to ask about pcr testing capacity and last week 64,000 — testing capacity and last week 64,000 tests were processed and the last time _ 64,000 tests were processed and the last time at— 64,000 tests were processed and the last time at this chamber was updated, _ last time at this chamber was updated, the national capacity stood atiust_ updated, the national capacity stood atjust 80,000 tests per updated, the national capacity stood at just 80,000 tests per day, updated, the national capacity stood atjust 80,000 tests per day, so can i ask atjust 80,000 tests per day, so can i ask the _ atjust 80,000 tests per day, so can i ask the first minister to update the chamber, is 80,000 the reach of the chamber, is 80,000 the reach of the capacity— the chamber, is 80,000 the reach of the capacity and pcr processing and is she _ the capacity and pcr processing and is she confident that demand will not outstrip lab capacity because if it does _ not outstrip lab capacity because if it does we — not outstrip lab capacity because if it does we run the risk of having key workers, health workers, healthy and asked _ key workers, health workers, healthy and asked to stay at home for want of a negative pcr test? | and asked to stay at home for want of a negative pcr test?— and asked to stay at home for want of a negative pcr test? i accept the oints of a negative pcr test? i accept the points about _ of a negative pcr test? i accept the points about the _ of a negative pcr test? i accept the points about the impact _ of a negative pcr test? i accept the points about the impact on - of a negative pcr test? i accept the points about the impact on the - points about the impact on the events sector and the knock—on effects into hospitality and other parts of the economy which is why it is so important we do everything we can to deliver financial compensation and with others and encourage the uk government to provide more wherewithal, but on the points about the pingdemic, the points about the pingdemic, the point is, it is legitimate, it is not people being pinged which is causing the problem but people getting the virus that is the problem, and therefore we need to suppress the virus and that is an inescapable truth which is why that leads to some of the difficult decisions that governments are again having to take on some of the decisions i've outlined are in common with the decisions taken by governments in many other parts of europe and many parts of the uk, like wales, and the republic of ireland's slightly further afield have taken this decision, as well —— ireland. self isolation which is where the pingdemic comes from is part of the way in which we help suppress the virus and i go back to the comments i made in response to douglas ross. on the issue of testing capacity, it is being increased, lab testing capacity is being increased and i will put in place the updated figures, although it is a moving feast if you forgive me for using that expression, and we have ample capacity right now and in addition to the uk network capacity we have the three regional nhs labs and pre—existing nhs capacity, but if cases continue to increase we will reach a point notjust in scotland but in the uk where we start to challenge that capacity, another reason to keep a downward pressure on cases. lab capacity is one half of the testing capacity and the sampling capacity is another but right now we have testing capacity... right now we have testing capacity- - -_ right now we have testing ca aci ,, , , capacity... studio: the first minister nicola _ capacity... studio: the first minister nicola sturgeon - capacity... srumo: the first | minister nicola sturgeon there capacity... studio: the first - minister nicola sturgeon there on herfeetin minister nicola sturgeon there on her feet in holyrood minister nicola sturgeon there on herfeet in holyrood giving minister nicola sturgeon there on her feet in holyrood giving the latest advice from the scottish government on gatherings over the christmas and new year period. nicola sturgeon making clear that hogmanay celebrations are to be cancelled. large scale hogmanay celebrations will be cancelled from new year and large sporting events will also be spectator free, new year and large sporting events will also be spectatorfree, for three weeks from the 26th of december. from boxing day. those new restrictions coming into place. the overriding message from nicola sturgeon and the leader of the conservatives, douglas ross, in holyrood, that all those people eligible for their boosters have got to try and get them, to help deal with the spread of the omicron variant which is the dominant variant which is the dominant variant in scotland as it is in many other parts of the uk. those comments are the latest from nicola sturgeon. large—scale live events basically cancelled. much more coming up. now time for a look at the weather. coming up. now time for a look at hello. it is a rather grey looking winter solstice at the moment, but looking at the western areas, the cloud will thin at times but overall staying very cloudy into the evening and stay pretty cold as well and by the time we hit the start of the evening temperatures could drop below freezing and that will lead into a cold night, maybe not as cold as last night, the coldest night of the winter, but a widespread frost nevertheless across scotland england and wales, and maybe —3, —5 in some parts of england and wales, quite a bit of sunshine around to begin wednesday morning, and a different story in ireland, not quite as chilly because we have cloud and outbreaks of rain and a strengthening breeze which spreads to parts of west and central scotland. this is bbc news broadacsting to viewers in the uk and around the world. i'm matthew amroliwala. our top stories... omicron's rapid spread across the us — it's now making up three quaters of new cases. president biden prepares to ramp up the response. large scale events, including mass new year's celebrations are cancelled in scotland — as first minister nicola sturgeon announces new covid restrictions. of course makes sports matches, including football, effectively spectator—free over this three—week period. a situation similar to that in wales from boxing day. with tougher restrictions still being considered in england — the government announces a billion pound grant for the hospitality sector.

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