The chancellor has announced a temporary cut in VAT to make family days out and children’s meals cheaper over the summer holidays. VAT will be reduced from 20% to 5% on a range of attractions and child-specific purchases.
The relief runs from the end of June, when schools break up in Scotland, until 1 September, when pupils return to classrooms in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It applies to entry tickets for fairs, theme parks, zoos and museums, and to children’s tickets for cinemas, concerts, soft-play and adventure centres, and theatres. Children’s meals in restaurants and cafés will also qualify for the lower rate.
The move is part of a wider package the government is calling “Great British Summer Savings”, aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures and supporting businesses. Alongside the VAT cut, the chancellor said the measures include free bus travel for children during August and reductions in import duties on some basic food items.
Officials say the measures are intended to help families afford small treats while boosting visitor numbers at attractions across the UK. The chancellor described the package as support for “fun days out, family meals and the thousands of attractions” that benefit both households and local businesses.
