Has Labour taken it literally when people said they are ‘doom and gloom’ and are now giving discounts to theme parks and kid’s attractions as a bit of fun?

[speckledpinkhen]

Whilst these are all quite ‘sweet’ initiatives and will help some families. Lower price theme park entry and cinema tickets don’t really help average working families with the cost of living crisis. Am I just being a grump?

I don't, but I do know DFOD if that helps?

Some are really struggling so please be nice.

Some venues are already expecting a rush on kids meals. Possibly even changing their menus!

Tinkering always has unintended consequences. Politicians never seen to learn this.

Tinkering is what Jenrick called it

Are restaurants complaining about the rush on kids meals? What are the unintended consequences?

So what’s the problem?

People will buy kids meals instead of adult ones. Brits love a bargain.
There was a story in the press today that restaurants will change their menus to expand the range of kids meals (i.e. label adult meals as kids meals to avoid the higher rate of VAT).

I still don’t see the problem.

Restaurants can easily put in measures to stop adults purchasing kids meals for themselves. Most places already do.

And if it brings in more customers, what exactly is the problem?

The government assumption on the costs (in lost VAT) are probably wrong. Along with the assumptions on increased VAT revenue from encouraging people to go out.

Probably?

And you just said that restaurants expect a rush

Probably is doing a lot of heavy lifting there.

Not really. These decisions are made on assumptions. They are often wrong!

Can't you see that the rush will end up being on 'kids' meals, consumed by adults, paying less VAT? So tax take will be down on an assumption that only actual children would buy them, and venues wouldn't market kids meals to adults?

So is the Royal Albert Hall going to refund the VAT on the child tickets sold on 16 May for the various BBC proms?

Asking for a friend.

I suppose not as those who prepaid school fees for years before Labour got in seemed to not pay VAT either.
Maybe I need to consult Angela‘s lawyer to get some clarity.

Agree. This has pissed me off today. I’m paying VAT on private school fees. Is this what that money is funding? How nice.

Not if you don’t have kids you aren’t!
hiw about doing something to help every “family m”? We are all struggling

No, that is not what that money is funding.

If you don't want a discount, then don't use it.

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.

Adults get some benefit.

Savings on child bus fares only works if you have buses where you live. Lots of areas in the country don’t. However, in principle it’s a good idea. The theme parks idea is stupid though. Reduce vat on fuel for the same period. Everyone will benefit the either by saving on fares or fuel prices. The 10p uplift in HMRC mileage rates doesn’t benefit normal commuters either as it’s limited as to who can claim that.

You do understand the ‘Great British Summer Savings’ scheme is a load of old bollocks, don’t you?

We had free bus fares for children after covid in our city here in New Zealand but they had to can it as the bad kids were using it to travel around from mall to mall causing trouble. Now it just for school travel. Shame a few ruined it for the rest. The bus stops were getting vandalised too.

This is what will end up happening unfortunately.

There is zero evidence anyone gets any benefit.

These places have to be willing to go and adjust all the point of service and pass on these reductions to customers.

There is no guarantee they will. That means no benefit to the public and just extra profit to businesses.

It’s pathetic. Fix the real issues unemployment wpuld
be a good start. Make it advantageous for companies to take on youngsters.
instead companies are turning to AI and the situation deepens

Of course there’s zero evidence. The scheme hasn’t even started yet. It’s not difficult to ensure the benefit is passed on - a quick comparison between current prices and those in force in August does that. There’s plenty of room for criticism of the government but the determination to find fault with everything it does loses its critics credibility.

But we have learnt this lesson in the past with previous schemes and yet the government thinks another is a good idea!

It's just more publicity grabbing headline making. It's not resolving cost of living problems.

You actually have to get to the heart of problems to do that, not come up with publicity stunts.