Rishi Sunak says government will pay towards restaurant dinners in Eat Out to Help Out scheme

The 'Eat Out to Help Out' voucher scheme will see diners receive up to 50% off the cost of their dinner (sit-down meals and non-alcoholic drinks) in August between Mondays and Wednesdays. The scheme will cover meals up to £10 per head. 

Restaurants will need to sign up in order to participate in the scheme.

What do you think of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme?

Critics say it doesn't go far enough and should be extended beyond Mondays and Wednesdays. 

Rishi mate, we asked for a functioning welfare state, not a tastecard. pic.twitter.com/WnmqNX91k7

— Ben Weaver-Hincks (@ben_wh) July 8, 2020

5/Any help for hospitality welcome, including vouchers, but they will only be available for 13 days in August and that does not feel at all equal to the scale of the crisis in the sector.

— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) July 8, 2020

People have also mocked the name of the scheme. 

But Witney MP Robert Courts says the scheme will be 'hugely welcome' for west Oxfordshire restaurants.

Hugely welcome news for #westoxfordshire’s tourism economy:

💥 cutting VAT on food, accommodation & attractions to 5%

💥 every single person to get a #eatouttohelpout 50% discount

This @Conservatives Govt promised a bold plan & @RishiSunak has delivered for #tourism sector https://t.co/7sOr47Nw8o

— Robert Courts MP #StayAlert (@robertcourts) July 8, 2020

The Chancellor announced the scheme as part of a range of measures, such as VAT cuts and a cut in stamp duty, as well as new apprenticeships, to stop widespread job losses in the fallout from coronavirus. 

Oxford East MP and Labour's Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds criticised the statement, saying: "We got a summer statement with many of the big decisions put off until later."

More follows.