UK Temporarily Cuts VAT to 5% on Family Tickets and Meals from Late June to Early September

A temporary VAT cut reducing the rate from 20% to 5% on selected family activities begins on 25 June 2026 and runs until 1 September 2026, The BBC reported. The reduction applies to ticket prices at theme parks, zoos, museums, adventure parks, nature reserves and wildlife parks, as well as children's meals in restaurants and kids' and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, shows and exhibitions.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the cut aims to help families make memories during the summer holidays without high costs.

She also announced unlimited free bus travel for children aged 5 to 15 in England throughout August 2026. Reeves pointed to additional steps the government has taken, including freezing prescription charges, freezing rail fares and providing energy bill relief. The government estimates the VAT scheme will cost around £300 million.

Businesses may choose whether to pass the savings to customers. Pub chains Wetherspoons and Greene King, along with Nando's, said they will reduce meal prices to reflect the lower tax rate. Helen Miller, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, estimated the measures would produce an average saving of around £10 per UK household.

Alan, 42, from Brighton, said he does not expect meaningful reductions at theme parks because the savings, if passed on, would be negligible for regular visitors who already hold season passes. Laughton Ross, an accountant whose clients include hospitality businesses, said firms will face costs to reprogram till and accounting systems and may need to reprint menus for the short period the cut applies.

Rob Parkinson, chief executive of the Family Holiday Charity, said government, industry and the voluntary sector need to work together to identify an enduring solution for families.