Today, the Government's Great British Summer Savings scheme slashes VAT from 20% to 5% on a clutch of family treats: children's meals in restaurants, kids' and family tickets to the cinema, theatre and concerts, and entry to theme parks, zoos, museums, aquariums and soft play.

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It runs until 1 September, covers all four nations, and is timed to land with the school holidays. On paper, lovely. A family planning a summer of days out could shave a useful chunk off the bill.

But read the small print and one word does an enormous amount of work: expects. The Government "expects" businesses to pass the savings on to customers. It does not compel them to. Pricing stays a commercial decision, which means a 15-point VAT cut........

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