‘Tax break tart’: hospitality tipped to exploit summer VAT cut on children’s meals (opens original article in a new tab)

Restaurants and pubs are expected to exploit a temporary VAT cut on children's meals, with industry leaders criticizing the scheme as ineffective and some using creative menus to maximize the tax break.

• Restaurants and pubs are expected to exploit a temporary VAT cut on children's meals from 20% to 5% between 25 June and 1 September.
• Industry leaders criticized the scheme as a 'joke' and 'token gesture' with minimal impact, contrasting it with £5bn in additional costs since 2024.
• A restaurant in Kensington introduced a £25 menu with premium items like wild Burgundy snail salad to maximize the tax break, while others plan to fake IDs to qualify for discounts.