There has been speculation on social media this week as to whether Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s ‘meal deal’ can be used alongside other discounts, or whether it will be standalone.

Customers of Tastecard in particular – a paid-for discount card which offers 50% off or two-for-one meals at selected restaurants – wondered if the new discount would actually benefit them.

But this week the press secretary to the financial secretary to the Treasury, Daniel Lapedus, confirmed: ‘The “eat out to help out” discount will be in addition to any pre-existing restaurant discount.’

Although Tastecard tweeted yesterday it is ‘in communications regarding the Government scheme’, Mr Lapedus’ statement suggests the discount can be used in conjunction with Tastecard.

Other restaurant vouchers will also be accepted, leading to even bigger savings than the initial £10 limit per head.

Matt Turner, founder and CEO of Tastecard and the Dining Club Group, said: ‘Since 2006, the Tastecard mission has always been to drive the profitability of thousands of UK restaurant partners, whilst offering our customers incredible value through loyalty-based rewards and discounts for customers.

‘Something both customers and the sector have always responded to brilliantly. The new government schemes joins the club in delivering what we think is a brilliant business model. We have to do all we can as customers and business owners right now to ensure the industry gets back on its feet.

‘The Government is yet to announce which restaurants have registered for the scheme, however, rest assured that tastecard members will continue to benefit from Tastecard’s fantastic 50% or two-for-one discounts at over 6,000 restaurants, all year round.’

Tastecard has been making some tongue-in-cheek tweets over the last days saying the company ‘can do better’ than the Chancellor’s deal.

It comes after the ‘eat out to help out’ initiative was announced during the ‘mini budget’ speech on Wednesday, which will offer customers half price meals of up to £10 per head.

The scheme, which has been launched to give the hard-hit hospitality industry a well-needed cash boost, will allow diners to use their discounts on three days of the week.

Saying the measure had never been tried in the UK before, the Chancellor added: ‘To get customers back into restaurants, cafes and pubs and protect the 1.8 million people who work in them, I can announce today that for the month of August we will give everyone in the country an “eat out to help out” discount.’