French cut the cost of eating out

French ministers were today holding talks with restaurant industry chiefs on plans to cut VAT in a campaign to lower the cost of eating out.

Diners can hope for a cheaper meal if restaurants agree to reduce VAT for customers from 19.6 per cent to 5.5 per cent from 1 July - reducing the cost of a typical plat du jour by 10 per cent.

It would make eating out in France easier for Britons, who have been hit by the strong euro. The pound has slumped by 30 per cent against the currency in 18 months.

Tourism minister Hervé Novelli and economy minister Christine Lagarde met leading chefs today.

The government has put pressure on restaurateurs to make a list of a dozen everyday items that will benefit from the cut.

Mr Novelli said: "A customer should be able to order a meal entirely subject to the full VAT reduction."