Great British summer savings: family discounts on days out and meals

From Thursday, families can take advantage of a temporary cut in VAT for school holiday activities under the Great British summer savings scheme. The chancellor has reduced VAT from 20% to 5% on a range of family-friendly activities from when schools break up in Scotland on 25 June until children return to classrooms in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 1 September.

The reduced rate applies to children’s and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, shows and exhibitions; admission tickets to attractions including amusement parks, zoos, soft play centres, nature reserves and wildlife parks; and children’s meals in restaurants.

Major attractions and cinema chains are taking part. Peppa Pig World, Alton Towers and Legoland are listed among participating venues; Merlin Entertainments has updated ticket prices to show 'summer VAT savings applied', with advance tickets starting at £29.75, down from £34.

United Kingdom, Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland

vat, vat cut, chancellor, school holidays, family activities, cinemas, theme parks, children meals, merlin entertainments, legoland