Reeves’s tax cut on children’s meals a political ‘soundbite’, say restaurateurs

Rachel Reeves unveiled the cuts as part of a ‘Great British summer savings’ campaign. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Cutting tax on children’s meals is a political “soundbite” that will make little difference to families or businesses, restaurateurs have said.

This week, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, announced a temporary reduction in VAT on the children’s menu in restaurants from 20% to 5% between June and September, in order to help families with the cost of living crisis and offer a boost to the hospitality sector.