Chancellor Rachel Reeves' plan to combat the cost of living crisis includes a summer VAT cut on theme park tickets, which is roughly as helpful as handing a drowning man a Slushie. Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth called it a "missed opportunity," suggesting deeper action on energy prices would be more useful than making rollercoasters slightly cheaper.
Reeves announced that VAT at attractions like zoos, museums, and theme parks would drop from 20% to 5% from the end of June to September 1, aligned with school holidays. The discount applies to children's cinema tickets, soft play, theatre entries, and kids' meals in restaurants and cafes. She also extended a 5p fuel duty cut to year's end, originally introduced in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, under-16s in England get free bus travel in August, while Wales already caps bus fares at £1 for under-21s.
Ap Iorwerth, whose Plaid Cymru party ousted Labour from Welsh government after 27 years earlier this month, said the package was a "missed opportunity" because high energy prices continue to hammer families and businesses. He called for devolution of welfare powers to Wales, arguing it would let Welsh ministers target help more effectively. Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens defended the measures as "targeted" at families and businesses, noting Wales would receive £7 million equivalent funding for England's bus scheme - which she hopes the "Plaid minority government" will spend on cost-of-living support.
Former Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford criticized Keir Starmer for offering "so little" new powers to Wales since becoming PM in 2024. Stevens countered that the UK government has delivered all devolution pledges from its 2024 manifesto. When asked about her past criticism of the outgoing Labour-led Welsh government's spending, including planting trees in Uganda, Stevens said doorstep feedback showed voters were angry about such policies when public services underperformed.
Ap Iorwerth acknowledged cost of living is "number one" on families' worry lists and vowed to do "everything we can using the tools at our disposal" - without committing to any new initiatives. So Welsh residents can look forward to the same £1 bus cap and a first minister who's very sympathetic but not yet writing any checks.