Number in The News: 35 million — Unique UK program helps boost struggling restaurants

The World
The hand of UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak is shown pressing a sticker on a window as seen from the opposite side of the glass.

From The World and PRX, this is The Number in the News. Today’s number: 35 million.

Restaurants have been hit hard by lockdowns to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But a unique government program in the United Kingdom may be an apt solution. The program, Eat Out to Help Out, offers diners at participating cafes and restaurants 50% off their meal. Around 85,000 restaurants are taking part in the program and restaurant patrons have purchased 35 million meals.

The Number in the News is a daily flash briefing for your smart speaker that we’re featuring as a special here in The World’s podcast feed. Listen to the Number in the News every morning to hear a shareable story in just two minutes. It’s one number you won’t forget, plus why it’s in the news today. Click here to add The Number in the News to your smart speaker news briefing on an Amazon or Google smart speaker. Produced by The World’s Bianca Hillier.

Will you support The World with a monthly donation?

Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you. We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.

Make a gift today, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000!