Finance (No.2) Act 2011 introduced a second reduced VAT rate of 9% to apply in respect of supplies of certain goods and services for the period 1 July 2011 to 31 December 2013.
The 9% rate applies to certain goods and services previously liable at the 13.5% rate, including restaurant and catering services; hotel and holiday accommodation; admissions to cinemas, theatres, certain musical performances, museums and art gallery exhibitions; fairgrounds or amusement park services; the use of sporting facilities; hairdressing services; printed matter such as brochures, maps, programmes, leaflets, catalogues and newspapers.
From 1 January 2014 the rate on these goods and services will revert to 13.5%.
See information leaflet: Rate change – 9% on certain goods and services from 1 July 2011.