Rishi Sunak today slashed VAT for tourism businesses, paused stamp duty and unveiled dining out discounts as he laid out a string of measures to kick-start the UK's coronavirus-crippled economy.
Describing the "profound economic challenges" facing the UK, the Chancellor used his summer statement to detail a range of measures, including half-price eating for all Britons in restaurants, pubs and cafes on certain days in August.
As well as a “jobs retention bonus” of £1,000 per furloughed employee to encourage bosses to keep on staff, he unveiled an immediate stamp duty “holiday” to homebuyers and hinted at possible tax rises once the pandemic is over.
It comes after the death toll from coronavirus in the UK jumped by 126 on Wednesday.
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