Meal card scheme

That this House notes the campaign by the Real Meal Deal which calls for the introduction of a UK meal card scheme to provide a tax-free allowance for employees to spend on ready-to-eat food and non-alcoholic beverages; further notes that such a scheme could be implemented by updating HMRC's existing tax exemptions list for employee benefits and expenses, with a graduated tax treatment to ensure that support is targeted at those on the lowest incomes; understands that research from Ignite Economics on the economic impact of a UK meal voucher in 2023 showed that a new UK meal card scheme would cut household food bills by up to 58% for the most vulnerable households without requiring direct spending from the Government; acknowledges that economic analysis commissioned by the Real Meal Deal Campaign shows that as well as benefitting employees, rolling-out a meal card scheme would provide a major boost to the economy, creating 280,000 new jobs in the hospitality sector and adding £6.3 billion to UK GVA; notes that by boosting people’s food spending power, the scheme would drive an average 18% uplift in turnover for restaurants and food providers, unlocking additional tax revenue for the Treasury which would offset the scheme’s costs and create a £2.1 billion net-benefit for the public purse; and urges the Government to follow the lead of 35 other nations around the world in introducing an innovative tax-relief scheme which would provide vital support to workers, employers and businesses during this cost of living crisis.