Following stakeholders reaction to the Chancellor’s recent statement, Phill Clapp, Chief Executive, UK Cinema Association said: “Cinema operators across the country will warmly welcome this show of support from the Government for our sector and the help it will provide for families to enjoy even more of the great line-up of films coming to the big screen over the Summer months.
“We look forward to working with our members to ensure that this welcome measure benefits the widest possible number of children and young people.” Jon Collins, CEO, LIVE said: "Live music operators welcome this cut to VAT for children's concert tickets over summer.
“We continue to engage closely with Government around the issue of VAT on tickets, and this decision is recognition that lower rates directly benefit fans and industry. Cutting VAT can be a catalyst for more shows and therefore increased economic activity in towns and cities across the UK." Michelle Ovens, CBE, CEO & Founder, Small Business Britain said: “It’s encouraging to see the Chancellor’s commitment to a summer of savings with the VAT cut on children’s meals.
“Providing an important boost for small businesses during the summer period, helping to drive footfall and ease pressure on margins at a crucial time of year. As many businesses prepare to enter the most important trading quarter of the year, measures that support both families and local high streets are incredibly welcome. The support is essential in combating ongoing cost of living crisis, particularly during the summer holidays when financial pressures and childcare commitments can intensify without the support schools often provide."
Simon Palethorpe, CEO, Haven said: "Haven is all about providing great value holidays for millions of families every year.
“The announcement will make it easier for them to enjoy all that the Great British seaside has to offer.” Dan Paskins, Executive Director of UK Impact, Save the Children UK said: “Summer holidays are often very challenging for families as they struggle with childcare, providing more meals for their children and meeting the costs of days out.
“Making bus travel free for children eases both family finances and gives older children a chance to see friends and travel to activities. Particularly in small towns and rural parts of England this could open up new experiences for children and their families on low incomes and help them enjoy the summer break. Measures to tackle the cost-of-living pressures are welcome and we would encourage more bold thinking like this from the Treasury when it comes to helping families cope.”
Martin Lewis said: "It's good to see them finally doing a retail offering.
“This is the type of thing I've been telling them for the last couple of years that they need to be doing, actually things that people can see a manifest benefit from. Some of them, like the 'British Summer Saving Schemes', for consumers at least, are a bit gimmicky. This is a temporary cut in VAT on summer attractions for adults and children – fairs, theme parks, zoos, museums – and some just for kids – cinemas, soft play and restaurants – from 25 June until 1 September.
“I mean, look, that will be nice for people. It's a reduction in VAT from 20% to 5%. It will be good for those hospitality industries that are involved in it. And hopefully they'll pass all [of that VAT saving] onto consumers.
“Then it's win-win." Ben Fletcher, CEO, Logistics UK said: “The Prime Minister and Chancellor’s action on fuel duty and road tax shows the government has listened to our industry’s concerns at a time when logistics businesses are finding it increasingly hard to reconcile ever-increasing cost pressures.
“Deferring the rise in fuel duty to the end of the year, and introducing a 12-month road tax holiday, will be vital for helping businesses that are under acute pressure to plan ahead with greater confidence, as well as to limit the inflationary impacts for consumers, who rely on our sector every day. The action that was announced will be a lifeline to the businesses that keep all parts of the economy stocked with everything that the nation relies on every day. At such a tough time for trade, these decisions will be a welcome boost to our sector.”
Andrea Egan, General Secretary, Unison said: “This simple measure will provide immediate help for countless frontline workers in public services. Particularly at a time when living costs are going through the roof once again.
“People who need their own cars for work have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket for far too many years. UNISON has campaigned hard for this long overdue change. It’s good to know the chancellor has listened to the concerns of staff penalised by frozen rates.
“There’s still more to do to ensure no one is losing out and the union will continue to campaign for more over the coming months.”
