Great British Summer


This summer, families may be able to enjoy a range of discounts and activities through the Great British Summer Savings Scheme. Offers may include reduced prices on family days out, children's meals, cinema and theatre tickets, and attractions such as adventure centres and soft play venues. Children aged 5–15 may also be able to travel for free on local bus services during August, helping families explore more for less. As not all venues are taking part, families are encouraged to check with individual attractions and restaurants before visiting. To find out what offers are available in your area, search online for Great British Summer Savings and enter your postcode. We hope you have a fun-filled and enjoyable summer!
Please see below a message from the RT HON BRIDGET PHILLIPSON (MP Secretary of State for Education)
Great British Summer Savings
Rising prices can make life's little treats harder to afford, especially during the school holidays when costs build up for families. This Government is determined to help, and that is why last month the Chancellor announced the Great British Summer Savings scheme.
From 25 June to 1 September 2026, the Government is temporarily cutting VAT from 20% to 5% on children's meals in restaurants, children and family tickets to cinemas, theatres, concerts and exhibitions, and admission to a wide range of attractions. Combined with free bus travel during August for children aged 5 to 15 in England, families and young people will be able to enjoy experiences that make summer special, including visits to the kinds of cultural and educational attractions that enrich children's lives outside the classroom.
The public are ready to get behind the scheme and are keen to take advantage of the discounts available. As trusted pillars of their communities, schools play a vital role in connecting families with important information.
We need you to help spread the word. So please share details of the Great British Summer Savings scheme through your newsletters, school apps, and other communications to parents and carers, so that the families in your school community know about the experiences they can enjoy this summer for less.
This forms part of a broader effort by the Government to ease financial pressures on families. From ending the two-child limit and expanding free school meals, to rolling out free breakfast clubs and delivering 30 hours of free childcare, this Government is taking action to put more money back into parents’ pockets and give every child the best possible start in life.
As part of this campaign, we have launched an attraction finder website which allows families to type in their postcode and find participating venues near them to make the most of summer savings. To use the attraction finder, please visit https://summersavings.gov.uk.
Businesses can find out more about the VAT reduction by visiting GOV.UK and searching 'Temporary reduced rate of VAT for family attractions'.