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Over half of Brits set to make use of ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme

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Simon Cereda Senior Consultant 03/08/2020

Today marks the first day of the government’s new ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme, whereby Brits can get up to 50% off their restaurant bills every Monday to Wednesday in August.

On the whole, Brits are in favour of the scheme, with over half (54%) saying they support it

The ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ incentive has been put in place by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of an effort to boost the struggling economy and help it springboard back to normality following a bleak past few months.

The scheme will run in participating restaurants and pubs on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays every week until the end of August and the government will be subsidising up to £10 per head.

On the whole, Brits are in favour of the scheme, with over half (54%) saying they support it. Just 13% oppose the scheme.

The popularity of the scheme is reflected by the fact that over half of Brits plan on using it at least once during the duration of August. Some will be taking advantage of it more than once, with a fifth (19%) saying they will use it three to five times, and 5% expecting to eat out using the initiative six or more times.

Over two thirds of under 35s are planning to use the scheme at least once (71%) compared with just a third (34%) of those aged 55+.

The scheme has been designed to provide a boost for the struggling hospitality sector, getting customers through their doors and enabling many to continue to enjoy the benefits of going out to eat without breaking the bank.

Three in ten Brits (29%) don’t plan on using the scheme at all.

Does the scheme clash with the government’s new obesity strategy?

As well as the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme, the government has also launched a fresh anti-obesity campaign entitled ‘Better Health’, which includes banning junk food advertising on television and online before 9pm.

Many argue that the government’s new campaign conflicts with its ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ initiative, urging the nation to be more conscious of eating junk food whilst also encouraging us to eat out in restaurants, many of which are fast food chains.

However, just 15% of the public believe there is a high level of conflict between the two. Over a quarter agree that there is a medium level of conflict, and 28% say there is a low level, bringing the total of those who think there is at least some form of conflict between the two initiatives to 70%.

Women are more likely than men (18% vs 13% respectively) to think there is a high level of conflict between the two initiatives.