Tag: Great British Summer Savings

Edinburgh attractions back Great British Summer Savings

  • Families across the UK are benefiting from reduced VAT on ticket prices as part of the Great British Summer Savings.
  • Cinemas, soft plays and theme parks are among the attractions where the savings will be passed on.
  • Businesses will also benefit from increased footfall during the summer holidays.

Attractions across Edinburgh and the east of Scotland are embracing the UK Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme – making family days out more affordable.

The initiative, which cut VAT from 20% to 5% on children’s tickets on a variety of attractions and days out, and on children’s menu meals in restaurants, is now in operation and will run until 1 September.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeill said: “Now schools are out for the summer across the east of Scotland, we want families to make the most of their time together.

“That’s why this summer, the UK Government is cutting the cost of a family day out with the Great British Summer Savings VAT reduction – helping families across the UK make the most of the summer break.

“Businesses will also feel the benefits with increased visitor numbers and more people discovering the wonderful range of activities and attractions we have throughout Scotland and the whole of the UK.

“Too many parents feel they have to hold back on treats or days out together because of cost of living pressures so the UK Government is slashing the VAT on a range of kids’ activities so families can afford more time together.”

One Edinburgh attraction supporting the savings for families is Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, which has already refunded the price difference to 1200 pre-paid tickets.

Tony Millar, Camera Obscura and World of Illusion’s manager, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the Great British Summer Savings initiative and to pass the benefit directly on to visitors. The summer holidays are an important time for families to make memories together, but we know the cost of days out can add up. 

“By passing on the VAT reduction and reducing our ticket prices over the summer, we hope to make it easier for families, tourists and local visitors to enjoy a fun, memorable and great-value day out in the heart of Edinburgh.”

The VAT rate on eligible activities will be cut from 20% to 5% and applies across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The reduced rate will apply to:

  • Children’s menu meals served in restaurants for consumption on the premises;
  • Children’s and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, shows and exhibitions;
  • Admission tickets, for both children and adults, to a range of attractions, including: amusement parks, fairs, museums, zoos, soft play centres, circuses, adventure parks, nature reserves, wildlife parks and observation attractions.

This money-saving package supports families, while also supporting businesses through increased footfall. The government expects businesses to pass on VAT savings to customers.

Guidance for businesses in scope of the policy has been published by HMRC which outlines how businesses can operate the scheme.

For more information, see HM Treasury’s press release.

Great British Summer Savings: Tax cut on kids’ meals and days out goes live

  • Every family across the UK will pay less tax on meals and days out as new VAT cut helps families enjoy trips to the seaside and making memories with loved ones.
  • “I cannot think of a simpler and more accessible way to bring some affordable treats into family life this summer” – more businesses back the scheme and commit to passing on savings to customers including Butlin’s, Burger King, Wetherspoons and Picturehouse.

ALL FAMILIES can enjoy children’s meals in restaurants and days out for less from today as the Great British Summer Savings tax cut goes live today.

With every family set to benefit, the scheme will see VAT cut from 20% to 5% on eligible activities across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. This tax cut will help families enjoy weekend treats, days out, and day trips that make the most of the summer.

Meanwhile, the scheme will support businesses by generating additional summer footfall. Businesses up and down the country have confirmed their involvement in Great British Summer Savings, including some of Britain’s most prominent attractions and eateries.

Picturehouse, Everyman Cinemas, Vue, Butlin’s, Wetherspoons, Shepherd Neame pubs, McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King are among the businesses that have made the commitment to pass on these savings to customers since the Chancellor held a roundtable with major leisure and hospitality companies last week.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The cost of living isn’t just about paying the bills, it’s about being able to afford the moments that matter with your family.

“Whether it’s a trip to the cinema, a day out together or family meal, too many parents have had to hold back because of pressure on household budgets – that’s why we’re slashing VAT on family days out this summer.”

Haven Holidays is also participating and expects to give up to £5 million back to families across their 39 parks during the scheme. Families will benefit whether they have already booked their holiday or book in the coming weeks.

In addition to passing on the reduction in VAT on their kids’ menus, Haven holidaymakers who purchase the Play Pass as part of their booking will receive a £7.50 voucher for each child.  These vouchers can be redeemed against any of the many activities available on its parks.  

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “I know the cost of living is a number one concern for families, and it can be even harder over the summer holidays when kids want to do things and money is tight. So we’re making it that bit easier for families to make memories together and enjoy the little treats – while giving a boost to businesses across the UK.

“This comes on top of support we’ve already put in place including freezing fuel duty, taking off £117 off energy bills, and freezing prescriptions and rail fares.

“We are able do this because we have the right economic plan, resulting in the UK having the fastest growing economy in the G7.”

Prices will be slashed for:

  • Children’s menu meals served in restaurants for consumption on the premises
  • Children’s and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, shows and exhibitions
  • Admission tickets, for both children and adults, to a range of attractions, including amusement parks, fairs, museums, zoos, soft play centres, circuses, adventure parks, nature reserves, wildlife parks and observation attractions.

Lyn Goleby, Founder and Chair of Picturehouse, said: “I cannot think of a simpler and more accessible way to bring some affordable treats into family life this summer.

“We’re looking forward to a summer of family cinema that is super charged in every way except price.”

Simon Palethorpe, CEO of Haven, said: “Summer is a time for making memories, and that’s why we’re giving back up to £5 million to our guests and owners as part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings initiative.

 “We know household budgets remain under pressure, and we want to help our holidaymakers enjoy more of what matters – whether that’s a hole-in-one on the Crazy Golf, a leap of faith off The Jump tower or another shot to hit the bullseye in the Archery.” 

A Butlin’s spokesperson said: “We’re pleased to support the Great British Summer Savings initiative by passing on the temporary VAT reduction where eligible.

“Families visiting our resorts will enjoy savings on Day Visits and children’s meals across a range of our dining venues during the campaign period.”

Camera Obscura backs Government initiative to cut admission prices

– Attraction cuts summer ticket prices by 12.5% to support families, with discounted tickets available to book now –

Popular Royal Mile attraction, Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, is helping families make the most of the summer holidays by reducing ticket prices throughout the season as part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings Initiative.

Discounted tickets are available to book now via Camera Obscura’s website for visits between 25 June to 1 September 2026, giving visitors the opportunity to secure savings ahead of the busy holiday period.

As one of the first attractions to make discounted tickets available through the scheme, Camera Obscura is supporting efforts to help more people enjoy memorable days out and discover the best of the UK’s visitor attractions this summer.

In addition to the initiative, the attraction will also honour the discounted rates for visitors who have already booked to visit during the eligible period, with refunds on the difference due to begin processing.

A family of four visiting during the summer holidays could save more than £10 compared to standard admission prices.

Reduced ticket prices include:

  • Adult tickets reduced from £24.95 to £21.85
  • Senior/Student tickets reduced from £21.95 to £19.20
  • Child tickets reduced from £17.95 to £15.70

Andrew Johnson, General Manager of Camera Obscura said; “The summer holidays are a time for making memories together, and we’re pleased to support an initiative that encourages people to get out, explore and experience some of the fantastic attractions available across the UK. 

“We know families are continuing to think carefully about the cost of days out, particularly during the long summer holidays, which is why we look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to enjoy our interactive exhibits, rooftop views and unique experiences throughout the season.”

The announcement follows a strong start to the summer for Camera Obscura, which was recently named one of the UK’s top three attractions by Which? and awarded Recommended Provider status.

The consumer champion praised the attraction’s interactive experiences, hands-on exhibits and family-friendly appeal, reinforcing its reputation as one of Scotland’s leading visitor attractions.

Millions to benefit from lower travel and food costs?

The UK Government has published a list of 125 everyday essentials – including fruit, oils and core pantry staples – targeted for tariff reductions, alongside uprating mileage rates to support working people with the cost of living

  • Government launches consultation on suspending tariffs on OVER 100 everyday essentials with the full list now available.
  • This Government is the first in 15 years to uprate mileage rates for 3 million people who use their own vehicle for work, saving over £120 a year for a worker doing 6,000 business miles.
  • The support is an additional saving for motorists following the Chancellor’s third extension to the fuel duty freeze which has put another £120 back into their pocket since last year.

Working people are set to benefit from further cost of living support, as the Government publishes a list of over 100 everyday essentials set to see targeted cuts to tariffs alongside uprating mileage rates for the first time in 15 years.

The consultation is seeking views from businesses and other stakeholders on the potential impacts of a second package. It covers a wide range of everyday essentials, from fresh fruit and vegetables, oil and baked goods, to chocolate, sauces, and soft drinks.

The list of 125 items include garlic, avocados, mangoes, nectarines, vegetable oil, olive oil and baked beans. This builds on the tariff suspension announced in April.

In parallel, we are also seeking views on whether suspension of tariffs on certain fertilisers could help farmers cope with the impact of rising fertiliser prices as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “The war in Iran isn’t our war, but one we will need to respond to, and my priority is keeping prices down for households and businesses.

“That’s why we’re freezing fuel duty, increasing the mileage rate for the first time in 15 years and slashed VAT temporarily this Summer to help reduce the cost of days out.”

This comes as carers, plumbers, builders and millions of other workers across the country who use their own vehicle on the job will have cheaper journeys after the Chancellor uprated mileage rates last week.

In the largest ever uprating of the rates a 10p per mile increase in tax‑free mileage rates for this tax year, backdated to April 2026, has been introduced to ease the cost of living for hardworking Britons.

Increasing the tax free per mile rates from 45p for the first 10,000 miles to 55p per mile will save around £120 for a worker doing 6,000 business miles. Up to two million employees and one million self-employed people will benefit.

This is in addition to savings drivers will make from the Chancellor’s further extension to the fuel duty freeze until the end of the year. That’s the third time Rachel Reeves has frozen fuel duty to support motorists, saving them £120 since last year.

Recognising how farmers and hauliers have been particularly exposed to high fuel prices, and their importance to UK supply chains, more relief has been announced.

For farmers and others who use red diesel and rebated biodiesel, the rate for those fuels has been cut by over a third – the lowest in over two decades. For hauliers, a road tax holiday has been put in place for a year from 1 July.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “We are a government firmly on the side of drivers, and that means acting when hardworking people are being left out of pocket.

“The people who use their own vehicle for work are the backbone of our country – the carers, the tradespeople and the public sector workers who keep services running. For too long, they have been expected to shoulder rising costs with support that simply has not kept up.

“We’re doing all we can to ease everyday pressures on working people – that means real money back in their pockets and delivering for the people who keep Britain moving.”

Andrea Egan, General Secretary, Unison said: “This simple measure will provide immediate help for countless frontline workers in public services. Particularly at a time when living costs are going through the roof once again.

“People who need their own cars for work have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket for far too many years.

“UNISON has campaigned hard for this long overdue change. It’s good to know the chancellor has listened to the concerns of staff penalised by frozen rates.

“There’s still more to do to ensure no one is losing out and the union will continue to campaign for more over the coming months.” 

This follows a much wider package of support rolled out by the Chancellor last week branded ‘Great British Summer Savings’.

It includes free bus travel for 5–15-year-olds in England, VAT slashed on children’s meals in restaurants, and VAT cut for all admissions to theatres, theme parks and other attractions.

This will help families enjoy the weekend treats, days out and staycations that make life enjoyable during the cost-of-living squeeze caused by the war in the Middle East while supporting the businesses that depend on summer footfall.

Cutting £150 on average of costs from household energy bills, freezing prescription charges and rail fares, and increasing the national minimum and living wages by hundreds of pounds are some of the actions taken at the Budget that are continuing to support families each month.