The UK government has introduced a temporary VAT cut from 20% to 5% on a range of family-friendly activities, including cinema, theatre, attractions and children’s meals, running from 25 June 2026 until 1 September 2026. Businesses may choose to pass on the reduced rate, and the scheme also offers free local bus travel for children in England during August.
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The Independent · 5 minutes ago
The UK government will remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October 2026, cutting the rate from 5% to 0%. The change is expected to save households around £45 a year and will be funded by cancelling the Digital ID programme.
The Independent · about 2 hours ago
In the UK, the government announced an £850 million tax cut on energy bills, making electricity bills VAT free from 1 October 2026 in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland remains exempt because EU VAT rates apply under the Windsor Framework, preventing the cut from applying there.
BBC · about 7 hours ago
UK VAT will be cut from household electricity bills from 1 October, reducing the rate from 5% to zero and saving households about £45 a year. The cut is funded by savings from scrapping the digital ID programme and will apply to England, Scotland and Wales, with equivalent funding for Northern Ireland.
The Independent · about 7 hours ago
UK households will see 5% VAT removed from electricity bills from 1 October 2026, a move announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The change is expected to save about £45 on a typical annual bill, though a projected 3.1% rise in the price cap may offset the benefit.
Yahoo News Canada · about 11 hours ago
The United Kingdom will see VAT on household electricity removed from 5% to 0% on 1 October, saving typical homes around £45 a year.
Law360 · about 11 hours ago
UK court rules that Staffing Co cannot recover input VAT because its director knew or should have known its supply chain was compromised by fraud. The decision underscores the importance of due diligence in supply chain management for VAT recovery.
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Key Takeaways
The VAT rate is reduced to 5% from 25 June 2026 to 1 September 2026.
Children’s and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, shows, exhibitions; admission tickets for attractions (amusement parks, zoos, soft play centres, nature reserves, wildlife parks); and children’s meals in restaurants (must be advertised and priced as a child’s meal, eaten in a restaurant or cafe, no alcoholic drinks).
No, there is no legal requirement; businesses may choose to apply the reduced rate.
Meals must be advertised and priced as a child’s meal, eaten in a restaurant or cafe, cannot include alcoholic drinks, and takeaways are excluded.
During August 2026 for children aged 5‑15 in England (excluding London).
Primary source
Read the full article at GuardianThis summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 20 June 2026. It relates to VAT developments in United Kingdom. The original source is Guardian.
