The government spent £522 million on supporting the Eat Out To Help Out scheme, the treasury has revealed.
Brits also demolished more than 100 million meals on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August with the government footing 50% of their bills up to £10 per person.
The scheme, which was designed to support the hospitality industry in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, cost the government a total of £522m as of August 31, with more than 87,000 restaurants taking part, the Treasury has revealed today (September 4).
Chancellor Rishi Sunak declared the scheme a "success":
"From the get-go our mission has been to protect jobs, and to do this we needed to be creative, brave and try things that no government has ever done before.
"“I want to thank everyone, from restaurant owners to waiters, chefs and diners, for embracing it and helping drive our economic recovery.
“The scheme is just one part of our plan for jobs and we will continue to protect, support and create jobs to ensure we come back stronger as a nation.”
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, said: “The Eat Out To Help Out scheme has been a great success for hospitality.
“Our members have reported very strong bookings throughout August at a time when the sector really needed a boost.
“It has helped provide a lift in consumer confidence which is going to be key for hospitality businesses as they look to reopen and help rebuild the economy.”
