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| Schools shut again in big freeze | Schools shut again in big freeze |
| (7 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of schools are closed across Scotland as the worst cold spell to hit the country in 50 years continued to cause disruption. | Hundreds of schools are closed across Scotland as the worst cold spell to hit the country in 50 years continued to cause disruption. |
| Temperatures reached -14.7C in Eskdalemuir in Dumfries and Galloway at 0700 GMT. | Temperatures reached -14.7C in Eskdalemuir in Dumfries and Galloway at 0700 GMT. |
| And forecasters warned they could fall to -20C in the North East and Highlands at the weekend. | And forecasters warned they could fall to -20C in the North East and Highlands at the weekend. |
| Meanwhile, the government dismissed a Labour attack that it had been complacent in tackling the problems. | Meanwhile, the government dismissed a Labour attack that it had been complacent in tackling the problems. |
| Amid warnings the freezing conditions could continue for another week, Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney urged councils to be innovative with limited resources when dealing with the effects. | Amid warnings the freezing conditions could continue for another week, Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney urged councils to be innovative with limited resources when dealing with the effects. |
| He told parliament problems with salt supply in areas including Fife and Edinburgh had been addressed, but he urged local authorities to share supplies and take measures to make them go further. | He told parliament problems with salt supply in areas including Fife and Edinburgh had been addressed, but he urged local authorities to share supplies and take measures to make them go further. |
| And he said members of the public could also play their part in helping tackle the problems. | And he said members of the public could also play their part in helping tackle the problems. |
| Describing the situation as a "national emergency" Deputy Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said there had been a lack of information on measures being taken by the health service, in particular, adding: "The response of the Scottish government has been so far complacent, defensive and, critically, displaying a lack of leadership." | Describing the situation as a "national emergency" Deputy Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said there had been a lack of information on measures being taken by the health service, in particular, adding: "The response of the Scottish government has been so far complacent, defensive and, critically, displaying a lack of leadership." |
| Hitting back, Mr Swinney said: "I don't think there could have been perhaps a more miserable contribution to a parliamentary debate." | Hitting back, Mr Swinney said: "I don't think there could have been perhaps a more miserable contribution to a parliamentary debate." |
| He went on: "The Scottish government's emergency team has been in situation since before Christmas to make sure that, in every circumstance, there was co-ordination of all the activity involved." | He went on: "The Scottish government's emergency team has been in situation since before Christmas to make sure that, in every circumstance, there was co-ordination of all the activity involved." |
| Vehicles stuck | Vehicles stuck |
| Meanwhile, as the bad weather continued, it emerged Schools in the Scottish Borders would stay shut until Monday, along with dozens more across the country. | Meanwhile, as the bad weather continued, it emerged Schools in the Scottish Borders would stay shut until Monday, along with dozens more across the country. |
| And a 42-year-old man died after his car was in collision with a lorry on the A1 south of Cockburnspath at about 1945 GMT on Wednesday. | And a 42-year-old man died after his car was in collision with a lorry on the A1 south of Cockburnspath at about 1945 GMT on Wednesday. |
| There are 168 schools closed or partially closed in Aberdeenshire, 42 in Moray, 19 in Aberdeen, 16 in Shetland and four in Orkney. | There are 168 schools closed or partially closed in Aberdeenshire, 42 in Moray, 19 in Aberdeen, 16 in Shetland and four in Orkney. |
| Conditions on the road had been dangerous for much of the day, with stretches closed, and vehicles getting stuck. | Conditions on the road had been dangerous for much of the day, with stretches closed, and vehicles getting stuck. |
| More snow has been predicted, with Scottish Borders Council urging people to stay at home. | More snow has been predicted, with Scottish Borders Council urging people to stay at home. |
| A spokeswoman said: "The message is 'Do not venture out on the roads. Stay tuned to local radio for updates'." | A spokeswoman said: "The message is 'Do not venture out on the roads. Stay tuned to local radio for updates'." |
| The freezing conditions could last another fortnight | |
| Snow and ice are still affecting travel while most of the 700 homes around Kelso, Coldstream and Duns which lost their power on Wednesday night have had their supplies restored. | Snow and ice are still affecting travel while most of the 700 homes around Kelso, Coldstream and Duns which lost their power on Wednesday night have had their supplies restored. |
| Work is continuing to reconnect those still without electricity. | Work is continuing to reconnect those still without electricity. |
| On Wednesday a woman died and two people were injured in Shetland after a car crashed. | On Wednesday a woman died and two people were injured in Shetland after a car crashed. |
| Hundreds of schools were closed on Wednesday and trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow were suspended for a period in the evening due to frozen points. | Hundreds of schools were closed on Wednesday and trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow were suspended for a period in the evening due to frozen points. |
| Businesses leaders said that the bad weather was costing Scotland's economy up to £60m a day. | Businesses leaders said that the bad weather was costing Scotland's economy up to £60m a day. |
| The Met Office said temperatures over the weekend could reach as low as -20C in places like Braemar and Aboyne in Aberdeenshire and Aviemore and Altnaharra in the Highlands. | The Met Office said temperatures over the weekend could reach as low as -20C in places like Braemar and Aboyne in Aberdeenshire and Aviemore and Altnaharra in the Highlands. |
| Are you in the affected areas? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Are you in the affected areas? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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