Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason ice cream parlours were not included in the list of businesses that are able to reduce the VAT levied on their products to 5 per cent.

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chancellor has introduced a range of measures to help individuals and businesses through the crisis, including grants, loans and relief from business rates at a cost of more than £300 billion.

The temporary reduced rate of VAT will support the tourism and hospitality sectors and will help over 150,000 businesses and protect over 2.4 million jobs. Ice cream served for consumption on the premises in ice cream parlours or other food establishments will benefit from the reduced rate.