Jacob Rees Mogg writes:

At the end of last month, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a new strategy that would kickstart restaurants that were forced to close during lockdown.

The Eat Out To Help Out Scheme, which is running from 3rd to 31st August 2020, gives people a 50% discount when they eat in at restaurants that have signed up. This applies to food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink onsite with a maximum of £10 deduction per diner and the offer is limitless every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Those in any size group do not require a voucher to take advantage of the Chancellor's initiative and there is no minimum spend. The discount will be automatically available at participating establishments that will then claim a reimbursement from the government for the concession given.

As per the guidelines issued by the Government, those dining or drinking in these restaurants, bars, canteens and food halls will have to provide their personal details for track and trace purposes so that if a patron or employee has reported Covid-19 symptoms the business owners are able to inform everyone who has been on the premises. Likewise, measures will continue to be taken to lessen the scope for transmission such as bookings being mandatory and tables being positioned over three feet apart and cleaned at regular intervals.

The Chancellor's inspired, innovative policy has been a huge success. It has not only encouraged people to get back to some level of normality in an enjoyable fashion but has, vitally, helped galvanise the economy.