SUGAR TAX: MPs call for levy on soft drinks to tackle UK obesity crisis

A cross-party group of MPs have demanded a sugar tax be introduced

A SUGAR tax must be introduced to curb Britain’s obesity crisis, a powerful cross-party group of MPs has demanded.

 

The ‘easy option’ of health education campaigns should not be relied on by the Government which should be much more ‘ambitious’ in its efforts to cut the number of fat people in the UK, a hard-hitting report says.

Slapping a 20 per cent surcharge on fizzy drinks and banning the advertising of unhealthy, sweet foods during family TV shows is the direct action needed, members of the Commons Health Select Committee have said.

However the finding puts the MPs at odds with Prime Minister David Cameron, and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt who do not agree with a sugar tax.

 



The campaign group have said the tax is crucial in fighting the UK's obesity crisis



The group also called for smaller portion sizes, saying they are becoming “larger and larger”, for example the introduction of “bottomless cups” in restaurants.

Other recommendations include a ban on unhealthy food advertising before the 9pm watershed during TV programmes enjoyed by families, such as the X Factor.

Buy-one-get-one-free and other deals on unhealthy foods in supermarkets should also face “strong controls”, with an outright ban on supermarkets placing sweets and other less healthy foods at the ends of aisles and checkouts.

 

New guidelines for teachers and parents on what constitutes a healthy school packed lunch should be drawn up and the use of cartoon characters and celebrities in children’s advertising should also face tighter restrictions.

We believe that a sugary drinks tax should be included in these measures with all proceeds clearly directed to improving our children’s health

Dr Sarah Wollaston

 

And the food industry should be warned that failure to drive down the amount of sugar or fat in their foods, would lead to enforced regulation.

Treating obesity and the accompanying health problems such as diabetes costs the NHS £5.1bn every year.

Latest figures show a third of 10 and 11-year-olds in England are overweight or obese, with soft drinks accounting for 29 per cent of sugar intake among children aged 11 to 18, and around 16 per cent for younger children.

Chair of the committee, Dr Sarah Wollaston, a GP, said: “We believe that if the Government fails to act, the problem will become far worse. A full package of bold measures is required and should be implemented as soon as possible.

“We believe that a sugary drinks tax should be included in these measures with all proceeds clearly directed to improving our children’s health.”

Jamie Oliver-style warnings on the side of fizzy drinks showing the spoonfuls of sugar in each serving should be introduced and all taxes raised should be sent on preventing childhood obesity, she added.

A coalition of almost 20 groups has demanded the 20 per cent levy including the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the British Heart Foundation, the British Medical Association, Cancer Research UK and the Faculty of Public Health.

Kawther Hashem, nutritionist and researcher at the campaign group Action on Sugar, said: “Parents and children are currently drowning in a world full of aggressively marketed and promoted sugary foods and drinks.

 



Latest figures show that a third of 10/11 year-olds in England are overweight or obese



“It is high time the Government took responsibility for the health of the nation and set sugar reduction targets and rules on all forms marketing and promotion of unhealthy foods and drinks.”

Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, described the report as a “breath of fresh air”.

He said: “If the Government follows this, we will be strides ahead in solving the obesity problem.”

But Christopher Snowdon, director of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: “Taxing soft drinks is an assault on the poor that has never been shown to reduce obesity anywhere in the world.

 

Celebrity TV chef Jamie Oliver has been outspoken in favour of a sugar tax

“It pushes up the cost of living and encourages people to buy budget brands from cheaper shops. This is exactly what happened when Denmark introduced its disastrous fat tax.

“There is a large economic literature showing the negative consequences of introducing sin taxes and banning advertising.

“Unfortunately, the Health Committee has decided to pay more attention to Jamie Oliver than to the evidence.”