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
Tonight at ten englands month long lockdown begins. The Prime Minister says it will be enough to get the Coronavirus Infection rate under control. As millions heed the call to stay at home, borisjohnson says it pains him to ask people to give up so much but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Ive no doubt that people will be able to have as normal a christmas as possible and that well be able to get things open before christmas as well. As millions of businesses shut up shop again, a surprise move from the chancellor the uks furlough scheme is being extended until the end of march. Todays announcement will give people and businesses up and down our country immense comfort over what will be a difficult winter. The other main story tonight joe biden hasjust addressed his
supporters and called for patience, as he edges closer and closer to the white house. With votes still being counted in a handful of battleground states, he says hes confident of the result. We have no doubt that wh
Hello, youre watching afternoon live im simon mccoy. Today at 2. Stop using inflammatory language Princes William and harry issue a joint statement denying a newspaper report speculating about their relationship. With his wife meghan joining on a conference call, prince harry prepares for a crucial meeting with the queen, his father and brother to discuss their future role. A historic moment for Northern Ireland as borisjohnson arrives in stormont to mark the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland. Whats so great about it today is, asi whats so great about it today is, as i say, that Northern Ireland politicians have put aside their differences, stepped up to the plate and shown leadership. Thousands leave their homes as the taal volcano begins to spew lava, sparking warnings
of a hazardous eruption possibly within hours. Tight lipped flybe declines to comment on reports that the airline is in crisis talks in an attempt to prevent financial collapse. Coming up on afternoon live
This is bbc news. Im rebecca jones. The headlines at 11pm the queen issues a statement about harry and meghans future. She says shed have preferred them to remain full time members of the royal family, but supports their wish for an independent life. Princes charles, william and harry were also at the talks today at sandringham. The queen says the couple made it clear they dont want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. Borisjohnson at stormont, as Assembly Members return for their first day of work there in three years. And then there were five the hopefuls whove made it through to the next round of the labour leadership contest. Storm brendan sweeps into the uk, battering Northern Ireland and scotland with winds of 90mph. Laughter and joker leads the pack in the Oscar Nominations with 11 nominations, but three other films also receive 10 nominations each. And at 11 30pm, well be taking an in depth look at the papers with our reviewers dia chakravarty, brexit editor at the
The number of people claiming Unemployment Benefits in the ukjumps to its highest level in almost 2a years. The figures for april, the first full month of lockdown, show a 70 rise in claims, as the chancellor warns that unemployment will rise sharply. It is not obvious there will be an immediate bounce back as it takes time for people to get back to the habits that they had. The extent of the impact on human life has become clearer today with 55,000 excess deaths recorded in the uk since the start of march. More than 11,000 people have died in care homes in britain during that time as the goverments criticised for not acting fast enough. 0ne positive effect of lockdown the biggest fall
in Carbon Emissions around the world ever recorded. Im taking it, hydroxychloroquine. Surprise and consternation as President Trump reveals hes taking a maleria drug to protect against coronavirus despite no evidence it works. And how new technology is being used to help medics keep their distance. And c