Exact amount YOU could save on family days out to theme parks, zoos & kids’ with Rachel Reeves’ Summer Savings
MILLIONS of families will be able to enjoy discount meals and days out this summer, the Chancellor announced today.
From June 25 to September 1 the Government is temporarily cutting the VAT on attractions and children’s meals in restaurants from 20% to just 5%.
The cut will apply to theme parks, zoos, museums, soft play, fairs and even cinema tickets.
The full list of businesses participating has not yet been announced but several major firms including Merlin Entertainments and Odeon Cinema have confirmed they will be taking part.
If a business chooses to pass on the full benefit then the total saving for a family of two adults and two children could be:
- £20 off the family’s tickets to a theme park
- £2 off entry to soft play
- £6 off the family’s tickets to a farm attraction
- £17 off the family’s tickets to a wildlife park
- £1.50 off the children’s tickets to the cinema
- £9 off the family’s tickets to the circus
- £2 off the children’s meals on a lunch out
- £11 off the family’s tickets to the aquarium
Read more on free days out
The Government said it expects qualifying businesses to pass these savings on to families by lowering the prices people pay on eligible children’s meals and tickets.
As a result, the VAT cut will be directly reflected at the till.
It added that passing on the full saving should help businesses attract more customers over the summer, which could increase footfall and support local economies.
The reduced rate will apply in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The plans are part of a package to help households with the cost of living.
Meanwhile, throughout August all children aged between five and 15 in England will be able to travel for free on any local bus service.
Among the attractions taking part are Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor, Warwick Castle and Cadbury World.
Fiona Eastwood, chief executive officer of Merlin Entertainments, said: “Merlin will be applying this VAT cut to both admission tickets and children’s meals, adding more value to days out and short breaks at our 20 UK attractions.”
Meanwhile, Mark Way, president AMC Europe & managing director at Odeon Cinema Groups, said: “We’re excited that our guests will be able to enjoy the big screen for less over this blockbuster summer.”
Which activities will be included?
The following activities and meals will benefit from the VAT cut:
- Children’s meals for consumption on the premises are eligible where served from a dedicated children’s menu and marketed, presented and priced as such.
- For cinemas, theatres, exhibitions, concerts and shows, the reduced rate applies to children’s and family tickets only.
The reduced rate applies to admission tickets, including adults, for:
- Amusement parks and fairs, including water parks and theme parks (excluding pay-per-ride attractions)
- Circuses
- Adventure parks, including outdoor adventure centres
- Museums and similar cultural facilities, including planetariums, heritage sites, nature reserves and botanical gardens.
- Zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks and farm visitor attractions.
- Soft play centres, indoor bounce parks and indoor play facilities
- Observation attractions, including viewing platforms, towers and observation wheels
- Season tickets that allow you repeat entry solely within the relief period.
But there are several attractions and popular activities that will not be included in the scheme. They include:
- Sports facilities, such as when they are provided by non-profit bodies e.g. swimming at a community swimming pool.
- Season or advance purchase tickets that allow repeat entries outside of the 25 June to 1 September dates, unless it is priced the same as a standard single-entry ticket.
- For sales that have been made before the legislation is in place, including before the announcement, businesses may opt to apply the reduced rate or refund the VAT saving.
