Rachel Reeves writes for The Mirror as she launches a package of measures to ease the cost of living burden on families with the ‘Great British Summer Savings’ scheme
I know for a lot of families across the country budgets are stretched.
The war in Iran is not our war, and I’ve not shied away from my criticism of it. However, it is having an impact at home. Prices have been pushed up, and when that happens it is life’s little treats that can fall by the wayside, such as a meal out, a family holiday or a day trip making memories with your kids.
Since the Iran conflict I have been clear all my decisions will be in the national interest and to support working people. My number one priority is protecting households from rising costs, and this summer I want every family to be able to enjoy themselves.
That’s why we’ve launched the Great British Summer Savings scheme, slashing VAT from 25th June until 1st September, on children’s menu restaurant meals and children’s tickets for cinemas, theatres and concerts, across the UK.
READ MORE: Rachel Reeves slashes VAT rate for summer attractions – from theme parks to zoos
Great British Summer Savings will mean adults and children can also enjoy amusement parks, wildlife parks, museums, soft play centres and a wide range of other attractions for less. This is real money off the things families actually spend on over summer.
We’re also helping kids under 16 in England with free bus travel throughout August — making it more affordable for people to get out and about.
And we’re making targeted cuts to tariffs on products including biscuits, chocolate, dried fruit and nuts, because I know that the cost of the weekly shop is often one of the biggest worries for families. This builds on our work to cut energy bills, and protect motorists alongside freezing prescription charges and rail fares.
In moments like this, the choices governments make matter. The right choices are the ones that keep us on course: stability in the public finances, action to keep costs down, and investment to build our resilience.
As the war in Iran pushes prices up at home, my economic plan is the right one. I will continue to make the right choices, to protect households and businesses, and build a stronger more secure Britain.