Scotland is in the grip of an economic crisis but it is not a reason to lift lockdown measures early, the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

As it was revealed that the number of claims for Universal Credit in Scotland in the last month has increased almost eightfold to 110,000 claims.

For the same time last year the number was 15,000.

Ms Sturgeon, who said she will set out the process and what needs to be considered to come out of lockdown later this week, said however, the economy could be damaged further if the Government is premature in lifting lockdown.

She also warned there could be a significant increase in unemployment in the future.

She said: “Dealing with this public health emergency has in itself created an economic emergency.”

“The economic harm being caused by this virus is not in itself a reason to come out of lockdown early.

“Indeed, dealing with this public health emergency and continuing to suppress the virus is an absolute prerequisite for a sustainable economic recovery.

“If we were to move out of lockdown too early and then have to impose the same level of restrictions again, due to a further rapid rise in cases, that would in itself cause further and possibly much longer lasting economic damage.”

Ms Sturgeon said it was not an either or choice between protecting health or protecting the economy.

He comments were echoed by Scotland’s Cheif economist, Gary Gillespie.

Mr Gillespie said: “We need to plan our recovery alongside our health effort to support the safe and sustainable return of the economy.

“The worst thing we can do is lift the restrictions too quickly and end up with a further collapse in demand and other restrictions coming back on.”

Mr Gillespie said the efforts to aid recovery would match the severity of the problem,

He added:”The scale of the response is there also, and we can get through this and recover”.

The First Minister revealed the latest update on coronavirus cases with more deaths recorded.

There were another 70 deaths recorded taking the total deaths in hospital with a positive test to 985.

The numbers released later on Wednesday are like to be higher as they include those deaths where coronavirus is listed on the death certificate and includes care homes and in the wider community.

Ms Sturgeon said there was an increase of 222 in the number of positive cases in the last 24 hours to 8672.

The number of people in hospital increased by 57 to 1866 while the number in intensive care decreased by three to 166.

In Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area the total cases stood at 2085 up by 64 in 24 hours.

There were 583 in hospital and 60 people in intensive care, which is a fall from 603 in hospital and 64 in intensive care the day before.

Ms Sturgeon also said there has been no decision taken on when schools will re-poen

She said:”Can I just be clear on the timetable for schools potentially reopening - we haven’t taken any decisions on that yet, we are not yet in a position to take that decision with confidence.”

Earlier Education Secretary John Swinney said: “We have taken no decisions to reopen schools and, as we said back in March, we expect them to be closed until at least the summer break.”