The Scottish Government is set to extend emergency coronavirus legislation until the end of March, according to the Scottish constitutional secretary.

Mike Russell said the Bill had provided “vital protections” on issues such as housing which were still needed.

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He told Holyrood the Scottish Government will seek to extend the legislation from its expiry date of September 30 to March 31, although some provisions may not be renewed.

To date, Police Scotland have made almost 270 arrests using emergency coronavirus legislation.

Scottish constitutional secretary Mike Russell told Holyrood that officers had used the powers for 3,310 fines, to make 349 forceful dispersals and to make 268 arrests between March 27 and July 21.

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He said 94% of the 61,593 interventions had been peaceful dispersals.

The Bill for The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act was passed by Parliament on April 1, and received Royal Assent on 6th April 2020.