From the uks 56 network. The biggest easing of lockdown restrictions in scotland is under way. The first minister says its the riskiest stage to date. Facing another lockdown blackburn is given a deadline to deal with a rising tide of coronavirus cases. And the statue of slave trader Edward Colston is replaced with a sculpture of one of the protesters whose anger brought him down. Good afternoon, and welcome to bbc news. A £4 billion cut in vat has come into force across the hospitality sector, allowing companies to cut their prices but not all of them say they will. The tax, which has been reduced from 20 to 5 untiljanuary, is aimed at helping to boost the economy and protectjobs. Starbucks and mcdonalds are among those saying they will reduce their prices but some firms are expected to use the windfall to shore up their own finances hit by the lockdown. Heres our personal finance correspondent, simon gompertz. Its the chancellors £4 billion giveaway to try to get the economy moving