VAT deductions are applied to theme parks and children’s meals

Families are expected to have cheaper access to theme parks, zoos and museums, as well as children’s meals, as a temporary VAT cut comes in for the school summer holidays on Thursday.

Among the actions taken by the government to reduce the value added tax from 20% to 5%, which will help with the cost of living, are the ticket prices for various attractions.

The cuts will begin on June 25, for schools disbanding in Scotland at the end of this month, followed by Northern Ireland, England and Wales in July, until September 1.

But families, charities and organizations said the measure would do little to help squeezed budgets, with some doubting the tax savings would be passed on to customers.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said summer holidays can be very expensive, and the purpose of the VAT cut on family-related activities is to “help people make those precious memories during the summer holidays, but they don’t have to spend a lot for it”.

Alan, 42, from Brighton, regularly goes to theme parks with his family but doesn’t expect much from the VAT cut.

“Attractions like this are very expensive in the first place,” the official said, adding that if the savings were passed on, it would be “insignificant” and only benefit those who go to theme parks as a one-off.

A great option for the family is to have a theme park pass, which you can use to go to Legoland, Chessington Adventure World and Sea Life Centres.

Helen Miller, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, previously estimated the measures would lead to some savings but would equate to “around £10 per UK household on average”.

According to Allen, energy and fuel costs will be more important measures if they are met.

“It’s a mystery how the government can say this will result in any housing savings,” he said.

Asked whether the austerity made sense, Reeves told the BBC the government was focused on helping families.

“Especially in the summer, things can be a bit more expensive. So we’re targeting families directly,” she said, adding that there will be unlimited free bus travel for children in England in August.

The chancellor highlighted other measures introduced by the government, including a freeze on prescription charges, a freeze on train fares and relief on energy bills, as well as for cost-of-living households.