More than half the money earmarked for the government’s “cash for bangers” scrappage scheme has been used up, according to figures from the Department of Business.

So far, 154,927 cars have been bought under the programme, which aims to breathe new life into the UK’s ailing car industry. The government has promised to underwrite 300,000 deals altogether in which motorists receive a £2,000 discount off a new car when they trade in a car over 10 years old.

Half of the cash is provided by the treasury, with the car industry putting up the rest.

The scheme has been most popular in the South East of England, which accounted for 18% of deals under the programme. 12% of purchases were made in the East of England, with 11% in the North West and South West.

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Buy one meal at Caffe Uno and get another absolutely free throughout July, with the Italian restaurant chain’s 2 for 1 summer offer.

Dine with a friend at any Caffe Uno restaurant this July and get two meals for the price of one. The offer is applicable between Sundays and Thursdays throughout the month, and includes sumptuous main courses such as Penne Arrabbiata, Giganti con Ricotta e Asparagi and Pizza Bufala.

Click here to view the full menu, and here to download a 2 for 1 voucher. Print off the voucher and present it to the waiter or waitress to get a second main course free when you visit your nearest Caffe Uno with a friend.

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Buy one main meal and get a second free at Pizza Express, any day of the week including weekends, at any time of day.

The pizza and pasta restaurant chain is offering two main meals for the price of one as part of its new voucher promotion.

Click here to download your 2 for 1 voucher. Simply print it off and hand it in next time you order a meal at Pizza Express. You will need to fill in the voucher and hand it in when you order to benefit from the offer.

This offer is valid until Sunday 19th July, 2009. One voucher is required for each free course, but there is no limit to the number of vouchers that can be used per party. Vouchers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. The lower priced main course will be free.

Treat your Dad to a day out at one of the UK’s top attractions this Fathers Day with 2 for 1 tickets.

Lastminute.com is offering a huge range of discounted gift ideas this Fathers Day, 21st June. Dads can go free to some of the UK’s most popular attractions including London Zoo, the Tower of London and Brighton Pavilion when accompanied by a full paying adult.

Other discounted trips available on lastminute.com include 50% off Spy Academy (was £89, now £44.50), 30% off Hummer Off-Road Experiences (was £70, now £49), or 2 for 1 on Silverstone Tours (now £28 for 2 people). Alternatively, why not treat your Dad to an experience day, with discounts on zorbing, shark diving and flying lessons.

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More than 60,000 cars have been sold under the government’s scrappage scheme, figures released today show.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said that the strong uptake of the scheme, which was launched just two months ago, showed that the initiative was a success. Consumers know a good deal when they see one. These figures speak for themselves,” he said.

However, the scheme’s popularity could mean that the £300 million of government money allocated to the scheme could be exhausted far sooner than the March 2010 deadline. Over a tenth of the funding had been used up by the end of May.

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Get a 50% discount off your meal when you dine at Brasserie Gerard.

The chain of gourmet French restaurants is offering you the chance to eat for half price when you order from their summer menu. With hearty main courses from France and the Maghreb, light lunches and snacks, Brasserie Gerard’s tempting summer menu offers a wider selection of mouth watering dishes including grilled salmon, shellfish casserole, grilled vegetable tagine and Roquefort salad. Click here to view the full menu.

To benefit from the offer, simply download the 50% off voucher, print it off, fill in your details and hand it in at your nearest Brasserie Gerard when you order. 50% will then be deducted from your bill, excluding drinks.

This offer runs until 21st June, 2009. It is not valid in conjunction with any other offer.

Buy one main meal at Zizzi and get a second for just 10p!

To celebrate its tenth birthday, Italian pizza/pasta restaurant Zizzi is offering main meals for just 10p. Dine at Zizzi with a friend and receive a main meal for 10p when you order a second meal at its full price.

Simply download a voucher and present it at your nearest Zizzi restaurant when you order to claim your 10p meal.

Click here to view the full menu.

This offer is valid until 19th July 2009. You will be charged full price for the more expensive meal. The cheaper meal will cost 10p. Click here for full terms and conditions.

Treat your Dad to a slap-up meal this Father’s Day with a two-for-one offer at Ha Ha Bar and Grill.

Buy one main meal at Ha Ha Bar and Grill on Sunday 21st June when you visit with your Dad and receive a second one free. Simply visit your nearest restaurant this Father’s Day and take your Dad along to claim the offer. The full menu can be found here.

You and a friend can also treat yourself to a bottle of Hardy’s wine when you spend £20 or more on a meal between Monday and Friday. To receive your complimentary bottle of wine, download the voucher here. The free bottle of wine offer is valid until 12th June 2009. One voucher is permitted per visit, subject to availability.

Holidaymakers who purchase travel insurance from a high-street travel agent could pay up to six times more than those who take out a policy online.

As more people look to snap up last-minute holiday deals this summer, consumers are warned not to accept travel insurance offered by a travel agent in a rush without having shopped around first.

Statistics from the Association of British Travel Agents reveal that 40% of travel insurance policies were bought through agents last year, suggesting that many consumers do not spend time shopping around before opting for a policy.

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Get two meals for the price of one at Ask restaurants.

Dine with a friend at any Ask restaurant between Sunday and Thursday and get two meals for the price of one throughout April and May.

Choose any pizza, calzone, pasta or risotta from the Ask menu and get a second dish free. Click here to see the full menu.

To benefit from the offer, simply print off this voucher and hand it in at your nearest Ask restaurant when you order.

This offer runs until 31st May 2009. The cheapest meal is free, and only one voucher may be used per party (up to 6 people). Click here for full terms and conditions.