Government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme launches in the UK in bid to boost hospitality sector

Pubs, restaurants and cafes will offer half-price mid-week meals from today under the government's new "Eat Out to Help Out" scheme.

The discount drive, launched by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in a bid to boost a hospitality sector devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, will see a maximum saving of £10 per person applied to meals at more than 70,000 venues across the country throughout August.

The meal deal will apply Monday to Wednesday, and takes in the spectrum of venues - from major restaurant chains McDonalds and Starbucks to Michelin-starred restaurants, including Tom Kerridge's The Hand and Flowers in Marlow, and Yorkshire destination The Angel at Hetton in Skipton.

The program will include all food but only non-alcoholic drinks, and will apply to both adults and children.

The scheme was unveiled as part of Mr Sunak's summer statement. He said: "To get customers back into restaurants, cafes and pubs, and protect the 1.8 million people who work in them, I can announce today that, for the month of August, we will give everyone in the country an Eat Out to Help Out discount."

The UK's £130bn hospitality industry is the country's third largest employer and represents nine per cent of all jobs.

The scheme has already been hailed as a success by some restaurateurs.

High-end steak restaurant, Hawksmoor, introduced a £20 rump steak and chips dish to its London, Manchester and Edinburgh venues. The Treasury discount will see diners pay just £10 a plate.

Since announcing the deal, the restaurant founders have said they are booked up Monday to Wednesday throughout August.

Londoners can find out which restaurants in the capital are taking part by entering a postcode the government's Eat Out to Help Out website.

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