PEOPLE in Oxfordshire got more than a million meals discounted through the Government’s month-long Eat Out to Help Out scheme, figures reveal.

On Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s in August, diners could get a half price meal at eateries signed up to the scheme and save up to £10 per person.

It was hoped the idea would boost the struggling hospitality industry when the first lockdown had lifted.

It was so successful in the county that some restaurants extended the deal in September, making up the shortfall themselves.

However, the scheme has since been criticised for encouraging people to mingle and further spread coronavirus.

New data from HM Revenues and Customs shows around 1,113,000 cut price meals were claimed at businesses in Oxfordshire.

It meant diners saved an average of £5.66 per meal on average.

Here’s how many meals were claimed in your area and how much businesses, with under 25 chains, were able to claim back from the government:

Oxford

Map of Oxford

Map of Oxford

Number of restaurants that took part: 204

Total number of meals claimed for: 365,000

Total discount claimed: £2,041,000

Average discount per meal: £5.59

Cherwell

Map of Cherwell

Map of Cherwell

Number of restaurants that took part: 117

Total number of meals claimed for: 204,000

Total discount claimed: £1,097,000

Average discount per meal: £5.37

South Oxfordshire

Map of South Oxfordshire

Map of South Oxfordshire

Number of restaurants that took part: 146

Total number of meals claimed for: 173,000

Total discount claimed: £1,084,000

Average discount per meal: £6.28

Vale of White Horse

Map of the Vale of White Horse

Map of the Vale of White Horse

Number of restaurants that took part: 96

Total number of meals claimed for: 165,000

Total discount claimed: £832,000

Average discount per meal: £5.06

West Oxfordshire

Map of West Oxfordshire

Map of West Oxfordshire

Number of restaurants that took part: 128

Total number of meals claimed for: 206,000

Total discount claimed: £1,239,000

Average discount per meal: £6

The eateries were among the 7,823 cafés, restaurants and pubs taking part across the South East and 59,981 across the UK as a whole.

However, HMRC data only covers businesses with fewer than 24 outlets meaning the true figures could be much higher, with many fast-food giants like McDonald’s taking part in the scheme over summer.