A temporary reduction in VAT on children’s meals has been described as a political gesture that will have limited impact on families or businesses, according to restaurant operators. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced last week that VAT on children’s menus would drop from 20% to 5% between June and September. The measure aims to ease cost-of-living pressures and support the hospitality industry. It forms part of a wider package that also includes free bus travel for under-16s in England during August and reduced import duties on selected staple foods under the “Great British summer savings” initiative. Many restaurateurs have questioned how much of the tax saving will reach customers, noting that children’s meals are frequently priced below cost already. Will Murray, owner of the London restaurant Fallow, offers children’s options such as pizza, cheeseburgers and grilled fish priced between £5 and £10. He described the change as a minor announcement that would not alter operations meaningfully. Murray added that other forms of support, particularly around childcare expenses, would be more effective. Tim Martin, founder of the Wetherspoons pub chain, said the group would lower prices on its children’s menu for the summer period. The chain currently charges between £4.99 and £5.75 for items including chicken nuggets and sausage and mash. Martin welcomed the move but repeated calls for a permanent VAT reduction to match rates applied by supermarkets. Daniel Crump, who runs two venues in Beaconsfield, called the policy largely symbolic and urged broader action to align UK rates with those in Europe. UKHospitality said individual operators would decide whether to pass on the saving but viewed the step as an initial move toward a lower VAT rate across the sector.
