Britain's government will hand out vouchers worth 500 million pounds (5 million) to the public to boost spending at restaurants, cafes and pubs that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 lockdown, finance minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday. For the month of August everyone in the country will be given an "Eat Out to Help Out discount" voucher, Sunak told parliament during a statement on the outlook for the economy. Meals eaten at any participating business, Monday to Wednesday, will be 50% off, up to a maximum discount of 10 pounds per head for everyone, including children, he said, noting such a stimulus measure had never been tried in the United Kingdom before.