Political Opinion: Labour is cutting the cost of summer fun
The last few years have not been easy for many families in Luton. Inflation caused by an increasingly unstable world has meant prices rising while wages just haven’t caught up.
I know for many this has meant cutting down on the ‘non-essentials’; things like fun days out, trips to local restaurants, the cinema or theatre. But these days out are such an important part of summer for so many families – which is why this Labour government is cutting costs this year.
From the 25th June to 1st September, VAT on a whole range of summer activities will be cut from 20% to 5%. This includes children’s meals in restaurants, children’s tickets to cinemas and theatres, and entry to a wide range of attractions like theme and adventure parks, helping bring down the cost of a day out.
To help with getting places this summer, the government is also bringing in free bus travel for all children aged 5 to 15 in England throughout August, making it more affordable to get out and about.
Though these measures are for the summer holidays, the government is also taking action to bring down the cost of living for the whole year. This includes freezing prescription charges and rail fares, a 10p increase in tax-free mileage rates, and an extension to the fuel duty cut that will save motorists £120 a year. Households are saving an average of £117 on energy bills thanks to the price cap, and the minimum wage has continued to increase giving thousands of Luton workers a well-deserved pay rise.
In the long term, the best way to cut the cost of living and bring down prices is through sustained economic growth. The UK was the fastest-growing economy in the G7 at the start of the year, and though the war in Iran has caused a global economic shock, inflation has come down consistently since Labour was elected.
But I know that “fastest growing economy” means nothing if people in Luton can’t feel it. That’s why measures like this summer’s VAT savings are so important – they mean more families can support local businesses, and more children across Luton and the UK having fun days out this summer.
As always if there is any support you need over the coming months with issues you’re having in Luton North, please get in touch: [email protected].