| Good afternoon, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a major new package of support for the struggling hospitality and tourism industries, including an unprecedented government-backed discount for eating out. VAT will be slashed for all food outlets, accommodation businesses and public attractions from 20% to just 5% for six months. The UK Government will also launch a voucher scheme giving 50% discounts on all meals eaten out from Monday to Wednesday, up to a value of £10 per person, including children. ‘Eat out to help out’ discounts will be available every week in August and will be redeemed via a government website. Message from the editor While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription. Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up. Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website. Your feedback is really important, please email me with any comments and suggestions at joy.yates@jpimedia.co.uk Joy Yates Editorial Director JPIMedia Scotland | 