𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Tax cut? Yes please. While nobody ever feels like they have enough money, if there’s one thing parenthood does to your finances, it’s that you suddenly feel like your cash does not go nearly as far as it used to.

Days out, toys, clothes, all the food, not to mention the astronomical nursery fees, even with the newly doubled free hours.

That’s why Rachel Reeves’ new tax cut, called Great British Summer Savings, suddenly introduced at the end of June, was welcomed with open arms by me and I’m sure many families who are counting every penny.

Announcing the scheme, the Chancellor said: “I know the cost of living is a number one concern for families, and it can be even harder over the summer holidays when kids want to do things and money is tight. So we’re making it that bit easier for families to make memories together and enjoy the little treats – while giving a boost to businesses across the UK.”

I took the tax cut for a spin last week at Nando’s, which is one of many chain restaurants which has pledged to pass on the tax savings to customers in full, along with the likes of McDonald’s, Wetherspoon, KFC and Burger King.

The cut reduces VAT on family outings from 20% down to just 5%, and applies to everything from kids’ meals to theme parks, holiday parks like Butlin’s and Haven as well as cinemas.

I can’t remember the last time I went to Nando’s before our son was born, but now it’s a monthly ritual. Our little boy has decided he loves a cheeky visit, after discovering its macaroni cheese with cucumber sticks and sweetcorn on the cob – and I’m always happy to find a way to get him eating vegetables.

So when we visited at Leeds’ White Rose Shopping Centre, it was the perfect opportunity to road test Reeves’ new tax kickback.

Ordering half a chicken with chips and sweetcorn for me, a garlic chicken burger for the wife and the aforementioned cheesy pasta for the little one, the total came to just under £48.

The tax saving, sadly, only applies to the kids’ meals, not to ours. Our boy’s food was cut in price from £6.95 all the way down to £6.08. A grand total of 87p. I mean, it all counts I guess.