{"value":{"id":1908888,"askingMemberId":5072,"askingMember":null,"house":"Commons","memberHasInterest":false,"dateTabled":"2026-05-21T00:00:00","dateForAnswer":"2026-06-03T00:00:00","uin":"3978","questionText":"To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will extend the VAT relief on summer activities to hospitality businesses such as hotels, bars and restaurants.","answeringBodyId":14,"answeringBodyName":"Treasury","isWithdrawn":false,"isNamedDay":true,"groupedQuestions":[],"answerIsHolding":false,"answerIsCorrection":false,"answeringMemberId":5282,"answeringMember":null,"correctingMemberId":null,"correctingMember":null,"dateAnswered":"2026-06-03T00:00:00","answerText":"<p>From 25 June to 1 September the Government is introducing a temporary reduced rate of VAT on children's menu meals and family leisure activities</p><p><br>The VAT relief is temporary — running over the summer months only —providing targeted support without undermining the public finances and the fiscal rules. This entails a near term cost but, combined with the announcement of reforms to the Foreign Branch Exemption which we expect to raise hundreds of millions a year, this package will not increase borrowing in the medium term. <br> <br>The Government recognises the significant contribution made by hospitality businesses to economic growth and social life in the UK. VAT is the UK’s third largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26. HMRC estimates that the cost of reducing the 20 per cent Standard Rate of VAT on all accommodation and food and beverage services to 5 per cent would be in 2026-27 £17 billion.</p>","originalAnswerText":"","comparableAnswerText":"","dateAnswerCorrected":null,"dateHoldingAnswer":null,"attachmentCount":0,"heading":"Hospitality Industry: VAT","attachments":[],"groupedQuestionsDates":[]},"links":[{"rel":"self","href":"/Questions/1908888","method":"GET"}]}