Government cuts VAT on family attraction tickets for the summer holidays

A temporary VAT cut reduces ticket prices for families visiting paid-for venues during summer. VAT falls from 20% to 5% from 25 June through 1 September across the UK. The relief applies to admission tickets for families to a range of attractions and can include the cost of children’s meals when those meals are part of the ticket. The reduced rate applies only to venues and events where children are included in the tickets, so adults without children pay the full rate. If venues sell separate adult and children tickets, only children’s tickets receive the discount. If venues sell family bundles, the entire bundle price is reduced, including adult portions. Repeat-entry tickets may not qualify unless priced the same as a standard single-entry ticket. Free TfL travel for children aged 15 and under is extended to the rest of England during August, supporting cheaper London family day trips.

"The cut in VAT, from 20% to 5%, will run from 25th June through to 1st September and applies across the UK. The cut will apply to admission tickets for families to a range of attractions, including the cost of children's meals at the venues, but only applies to venues and events where children are included in the tickets. So parents/carers can take children and get a discount, but adults without children will pay the full rate."

"Basically, if a venue sells separate adult and children tickets, the discount applies only to children's tickets, but if they sell a family bundle, the entire ticket price is reduced, including for the adults. There's also a theoretical possibility that a venue could create a new class of family ticket for multiple adult groups to join, so long as a child is included. For example, if a venue usually sells family tickets for 2 adults and up to 3 children, they could create a bundle for 4 adults and up to 3 children, allowing two parents to bring two of their friends, and then everyone gets the discounted rate."

"Awkwardly, the reduced rate applies only to family tickets, so some venues might need to make quick changes to their pricing policies to offer the discounted rates - and that might not be possible everywhere, leading to complaints from parents expecting a saving. In addition, although children living in London aged 15 or under already get free travel on TfL buses, this is also being extended to the rest of England during August, making family day trips from London a bit more affordable."

"The small print: If a venue's ticket permits repeat entries outside the dates 25 June to 1 September, such as a season ticket, it will not qualify for the relief unless it is priced the same as a standard single-entry ticket. Repeat-entry tickets"

Read at ianVisits