Huawei as President Trump takes credit for the decision to exclude it from the uks 56 network. The statue of slave trader Edward Colston is replaced with a sculpture of one of the protesters whose anger brought him down. And coming up on bbc news confirmation that the lions tour of south africa will go ahead. Three test matches are scheduled against the world champions in july and august. Good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. 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
This is bbc news. Im simon mccoy. The headlines. A £4 billion cut in vat to kick start the economy but some Companies Say they need to keep the cash to stay in business. Were looking to pass some of that on to customers, but i think we are in survival mode right now. What it allows us to do is comfortably put on larger discounts, so we are passing it on. The Health Secretary says the government has ruled out making masks compulsory for Office Workers in england. Borisjohnson confirms therell be an independent inquiry into the governments handling of the coronavirus pandemic but not now. China warns of retaliation over huawei, as President Trump takes credit for the decision to exclude it 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