Here's how you can get a coffee for under 50p using Eat Out to Help Out at chains like Starbucks, Costa and Pret

August is a good month for deals on eating and drinking out (Photo: Shutterstock)

You can maximise the government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme by stacking deals together to get coffee for under £1 from high street chains.

The trick was pointed out by Rhiannon Moorhouse of Money Saving Expert, and capitalises on a couple of August schemes along with ongoing discounts:

The government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme will give you 50 per cent off (up to £10 per person) if you sit in a cafe or restaurant from Monday to Wednesday throughout August. You don't need a voucher as the discount will be automatically taken off your bill at the end
A recent VAT reduction from 20 per cent to five per cent in the hospitality sector means that a 12.5 per cent discount may be available in some places - though it's up to individual businesses as to how they do this
Many coffee shops offer discounts for bringing your own reusable cup - up to 50p off in some

These discounts mean that, at certain chain coffee shops, you can currently bag a coffee for around £1 - or even less. You'll have to grab one before August to make the most of the available deals this months.