Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will reconsider the decision not to include ice cream parlours and their products within the scope of the VAT reduction to 5 per cent for businesses in the leisure and hospitality industry.

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.