The Association of Indoor Play has urged the government to go beyond its temporary summer reduction of VAT from 20 percent to 5 percent for children’s play activities by abolishing the tax for the sector altogether.

With legislation to enact the three-month relief currently progressing through Parliament, the AIP is encouraging ministers to consider the importance of play as a crucial development stage for young children. 

“The government’s decision to temporarily reduce VAT is a positive and important step, but we believe it also strengthens the case for permanent change,” said AIP executive committee member Gordon Foster. 

“At a time when childhood obesity, loneliness and excessive screen use are major concerns, the government should be encouraging active play rather than taxing it. Our view is simple; if children’s play is important enough to justify temporary relief, the long-term ambition should now be to move from 5 percent temporarily to 0 percent permanently.”

It’s a shift the AIP is selling hard, arguing that zero-rating children’s play would add relief to low income families facing affordability issues.