FOODIES in Bracknell Forest gobbled up more than 70,000 discounted meals at non-chain venues through the Eat Out to Help Out scheme last year.

Figures published earlier this week tallied up the total number of breakfasts, lunches and dinners claimed as part of the government’s push to boost the hospitality economy.

The scheme, which ran throughout August 2020, provided diners with a discount of up to 50 per cent (or a maximum of £10) on their food and drink at participating restaurants, pubs, cafes and other eateries.

Although the government heralded the scheme as a success, others have criticised it for leading to an increase in coronavirus cases.

What does the data show about the meals claimed?

With the incentive in place, Bracknell Forest residents scoffed down 72,000 discounted meals at 50 eateries not including big chains like Nando’s or Pizza Hut.

Altogether, these discounts on these dishes were worth £427,000.

READ MORE: Covid hotspots map shows areas with fewest cases

Bracknell Forest claimed the fewest amount of meals and therefore the least amount of discount from smaller eateries than any other local authority area.

The average amount claimed per business with fewer than 25 participating restaurants in Bracknell Forest was £8,500.

Diners saved an average of £5.91 per Eat Out to Help Out meal, according to government data.

In September, the BBC reported chancellor Rishi Sunak’s claim that the scheme had been a “success” after it was revealed around 85,000 restaurants had signed up for it.

Did the scheme lead to an increase in coronavirus cases?

In October, however, research from Dr Thiemo Fetzer of the University of Warwick suggested the government initiative caused a “significant” rise in new infections in August and early September 2020.

The scheme, which cost taxpayers around £500 million, had a “short-lived” impact on the economy too, Dr Fetzer claimed.

Despite this, Bracknell Forest saw a marginal increase in the weekly rate of confirmed cases per 100,000 population over seven days throughout August.

On August 1, 2020, the rate was recorded at 2.4. This rose to 8.2 by the end of the month, and to 26.1 by September 7, 2020.

READ MORE: MP hits out at Holocaust deniers in passionate speech

The current rate of infection in Bracknell Forest is 332.9, having peaked at 847.8 at the very start of the month.

The rate started to fall again by the middle of September, with a figure of 11.4 recorded on September 19.

Nationwide, the seven-day average number of cases was recorded at 922.1 at the start of August, increasing to 1,978.4 by August 31.

The national picture

Across the UK, more than 100 million restaurants took part, with more than £600 million saved and average of £5.74 spent per meal.

And just under 60,000 outlets took part, with an average of 10,198 claimed at each participating business.

READ MORE Behind the scenes at Bracknell vaccine clinic

Values for total number of meals claimed and total amount of discount claimed have been rounded to the nearest thousand, while the average discount claimed per premises is rounded to the nearest hundred.

The data has been released following Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs fraud and compliance checks to ensure all were accurate and legitimate.