The Queen announces sugary drinks levy progress
In the Queen's Speech today, the Queen - on behalf of the Government - announced that "legislation would be introduced to establish a soft drinks industry levy to tackle childhood obesity" and to improve life chances. The Queen's Speech marks the official opening of the new session of Parliament, and confirms the next stages of the process for the sugary drinks levy to became law in time for its planned introduction in 2018.
Responding to the mention of the sugary drinks levy in the Queen's Speech, Malcolm Clark, co-ordinator of the Children's Food Campaign, said:
"The Children’s Food Campaign and Sustain have been leading the campaign for a sugary drinks tax, as part of a series of measures to tackle childhood obesity, and improve children’s health and the environment that they grow up in. We are pleased that today the proposed sugary drinks levy is one step closer and look forward to inputting into the Treasury’s forthcoming consultation to help make the levy as strong and effective as possible. Now is the time for the soft drinks industry to drop their threats of legal challenges and come behind the many parents, public health professionals and politicians who support the levy.”
Published Wednesday 18 May 2016
Sugary Drinks Duty: Support the campaign for a sugary drinks duty, to pay for programmes to improve childrens health and protect the environment they grow up in.
