Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP Luke Pollard has welcomed a bold package of measures announced in the House of Commons this week by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP, designed to support local families and households with the cost of living.
At the heart of the announcement is the ‘Great British Summer Savings’ initiative, aimed directly at bringing down the cost for families spending time together across Plymouth over the summer holidays.
From 25th June to 1st September, the Government will slash VAT to 5% on children’s menu meals as well as children’s tickets for cinemas, theatres, and concerts. To add to the summer boost, every child aged 5 to 15 will benefit from free bus travel across England throughout August.
As a result of these plans, adults and children in Plymouth will be able to enjoy soft play centres, museums, wildlife parks, and a wide range of other local attractions for less.
Alongside the summer package, the Chancellor announced a 10p per mile increase in tax-free mileage rates—backdated to April 2026—and an extension of the 5p fuel duty cut to the end of the year to support local motorists, commuters, and workers.
These announcements follow strong economic figures reported earlier this week showing that the UK is the fastest-growing economy in the G7 so far this year, with growth up 0.6% for the first three months of the year, beating forecasts despite ongoing global pressures.
Welcoming the news, Luke Pollard MP said:
“In recent years, life has been far tougher than it needs to be for people across the UK, and families right here in Plymouth have felt that pressure deeply. The Great British Summer Savings package is going to make a massive difference to local households, dropping the cost of enjoying our city and spending time together.
“I know that what matters to Plymouth families isn’t just surviving from bill to bill, but being able to breathe a little easier and make memories. When budgets get tight, it’s life’s little treats that are forced onto the back burner—a meal out, a family day trip, or a summer afternoon out with the kids.
“This package means local families can access our brilliant local attractions, soft play areas, and museums for less. I am incredibly proud of our city, and these measures are a much-needed shot in the arm for households in the city.
“While this will provide real, tangible relief, my work on the cost of living isn’t finished. I will keep listening to our community, standing up for Plymouth, and pushing for the action our local families need.”
Other measures already delivered by the Government to support Plymouth residents include:
- Up to £150 off energy bills.
- Freezes to rail fares and prescription charges.
- Real-terms increases to the National Minimum Wage and State Pension.
- Launching free school breakfast clubs and expanding funded childcare to 30 hours, putting thousands back into parents’ pockets.
Great British Summer Savings
I know that what really matters for families is not just getting by, but being able to enjoy time together without worrying about the next bill. When budgets tighten, life’s little treats can fall by the wayside – a meal out, a family holiday, or a day trip making memories with your kids.
This week the Chancellor has announced Great British Summer Savings – cutting VAT to 5% on children’s menu meals, children’s tickets for cinemas, theatres, and concerts from 25th June to 1st September. Adults and children can also enjoy amusement parks, wildlife parks, museums, soft play centres, and a wide range of other attractions for less.
Kids from 5 to 15 years old will get free bus travel in England this August, making it more affordable for people to get out and about. We are able to provide this support because the Chancellor’s decisions have put the UK in a stronger economic position, as the fastest-growing economy in the G7 with inflation falling.
Support for Motorists
Thanks to the decisions of this government, fuel duty is as low now as it has been at any point for over 16 years and is substantially lower in real terms. The Chancellor has announced the 5p cut on fuel duty will be extended for the rest of the year. By the end of this year, the cut will have saved the average driver £120 compared to the plans inherited from the previous administration.
The global conflict has also pushed up costs for hauliers who keep Britain’s shelves stocked and its economy moving. The Chancellor is giving them a 12-month road tax holiday – meaning they will pay £1 at renewal, saving £600 for a typical heavy lorry and £912 for the biggest vehicles on the road.
Farmers, rail freight, and other red diesel users will also see their fuel duty cut by over a third until the end of the year. This is the lowest rate in over 20 years, helping to keep the cost of doing business down.
And the Chancellor has today announced a 10p per mile increase in tax-free mileage rates, backdated to April 2026; benefiting those who need to drive for work, from care workers to tradespeople.
Children’s Bus Travel
Free bus travel for children will run from 1 to 31 August and covers participating local bus services across England. This could save a family with two children who make a weekly return trip at a £1.50 child fare £27 in August. Every child aged five to 15 in England will travel free on participating local buses throughout August – with unlimited journeys, no registration required, and at no cost to families.
The Chancellor is committing more than £100 million to fund the free fares scheme. This funding also includes support for bus services that have experienced increased costs, recognising the vital service they provide particularly for school children, pensioners, and those living in rural communities. The Government will work with the sector to decide how this support can be allocated with the greatest impact.
As with the £3 bus fare cap, bus operators participate in the scheme voluntarily, so the total number of routes and operators covered will be determined in due course. We expect the majority of services to be covered by the scheme. The funding is available for every operator that wants to sign up to the scheme.