Families urged to check on cost of summer days out as new VAT cut comes into force

The government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme runs until September 1.

Lanarkshire families are being urged to check whether summer days out, children’s meals and family tickets have become cheaper before paying full price, after a new VAT cut came into force across the UK.

The government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme runs until September 1, cutting VAT from 20 per cent to five per cent on eligible children’s meals in restaurants, children’s and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, exhibitions, shows and concerts, and admission tickets to certain family attractions including theme parks, zoos, aquariums, museums, soft play centres and adventure parks.

The change is designed to reduce the cost of family days out during the school summer holidays, when many households face higher spending on childcare, food, travel and keeping children entertained.

But Thomas Drury, money-saving expert at The Investors Centre, says families should not assume every price they see has automatically been reduced.

He added: “This is a useful summer saving, but families need to understand how it works. The VAT cut applies to eligible activities, but the important question for consumers is whether the business has passed that saving on in the price they are charging.

“Parents should not just see a family ticket or children’s meal and assume they are automatically getting the benefit.

“It is worth checking the booking page, asking the venue, and comparing the final price before paying.”

The government says the full VAT saving could mean around £20 off family tickets to a theme park, £17 off a wildlife park, £11 off an aquarium, £6 off a farm attraction, £2 off soft play, £1.50 off children’s cinema tickets and £2 off children’s meals.

Mr Drury added: “If each one [trip/visit] is slightly cheaper, that can add up. But only if families actually check where the saving is being passed on.”

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