Eat Out to Help Out end date: When does Eat Out scheme end?
EAT Out to Help Out has given people hefty discounts on their food for the last month in a bid to kickstart the economy following coronavirus stagnation. When does Eat Out to Help Out come to an end?
Eat Out to Help Out: Diners discuss success of the scheme
Eat Out to Help Out has benefitted millions of people across the UK this month, with meals discounted up to 50 percent. The scheme, spearheaded by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, is one of several designed to put some life back into the stalled economy after months of inactivity. But, like the furlough scheme before it, Eat Out to Help Out has an expiration date attached to it.
When does the Eat Out to Help Out scheme end?
When Eat Out to Help Out debuted, Rishi Sunak announced it would continue for just one month.
The official end date is August 31, meaning people have less than a week to take advantage of the Government deal.
But they have just two days, including today and the last day, which is also a bank holiday.
READ MORE: How to claim back discount on Eat out scheme
Despite this, people have questioned whether, like the furlough scheme, Rishi Sunak might choose to extend it.
The Chancellor chose to extend furlough beyond the original end date to October this year, but he has indicated he won't do the same with Eat Out to Help Out.
Speaking to Channel 5 News, he suggested the plan served as a jumping-off point for British diners.
He added the success of the plan depends on the "impact" it had in its limited duration.
He said: “That's not the plan, the idea of this was to try and encourage people to get out.”
“The reason these things are successful is because they're time-limited.
“That's the whole point and that's why concentrating it in the month of August as we've emerged out of lockdown it brings the most impact to that sector.”
Restaurants will still have some time to claim their money back following August 31.
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Restaurants participating in Eat Out to Help Out can continue to claim weeks they ran the deal until the end of September.
Owners need to make the claims themselves, provided they have data for the total number of diners (including children) who have used the scheme.
They also need the total amount of discount they have given out and to specify the period they're claiming.
They can then send those claims until September 30, although they can't offer the scheme until then.
Will some restaurants continue Eat Out to Help Out?
When Eat Out to Help Out ends, it only rescinds Government funding.
Eateries may still offer discounts and offers if they choose, which may prove lucrative given the success of the Chancellor's scheme.
But this will vary by location, so people will have to pick and choose participating restaurants.