Children's Food Campaign's response to the Institute for Fiscal Studies sugary drinks tax analysis
The IFS, in its response to all elements of the Chancellor's March 2016 budget, have produced an analysis of different ways a sugary drinks tax could work, and the impact it could have. Read our response.
Malcolm Clark, co-ordinator of the Children’s Food Campaign, commented:
“We welcome the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)'s recognition that a “tax on sugary drinks is a good starting point for reducing excess sugar consumption” and that this is measure which will benefit households with children most. [1]
"The IFS’s speculation over how people’s consumption will respond is just that – speculation. Who, when they are thirsty, reaches for a chocolate bar? The evidence from Mexico and other countries who have introduced a sugary drinks tax is clear: consumption of those drinks goes down, the price of diet drinks does not increase, and there is no evidence that consumption of sugary foods has increased." [2]
"To have the most effect on consumers and on industry, a sugary drinks tax needs to be easily understood, set at levels which encourage manufacturers to reformulate, and applied to the right range of products. On the latter, the IFS is right to highlight the inconsistency that milkshakes and other sugary dairy drinks are not currently included in the sugary drinks tax. The Chancellor should follow the lead of the School Food Standards in tackling consumption of those drinks too."
"A sugary drinks tax should also not be considered in isolation to the other measures to promote healthier eating and restrict junk food marketing that may be contained in the Government’s forthcoming childhood obesity strategy, or are already in the pipeline. Today Public Health England published their revised Eatwell Guide, which gives clear guidance that chocolates, crisps and junk food are not an essential part of a balanced diet but rather a treat on the side, and that the right kind of hydration – water not sugary drinks – is important. It is only taken together, as a series of robust interventions and initiatives, that childhood obesity and excess sugar consumption may be effectively tackled." [3]
Media Contact:
For further information, and for interviews, please contact Malcolm Clark, co-ordinator of Children's Food Campaign, on malcolm@sustainweb.org / 07733322148 / 0203 5596 777
Notes:
[1] IFS analysis of Budget 2016 – slides on sugary drinks tax http://www.ifs.org.uk/uploads/budgets/budget2016/budget2016_ks.pdf
[2] Response to IFS Green Budget comments on sugary drinks tax, written by academics Peter Scarborough, Adam Briggs, Oliver Mytton and Mike Rayner; published in The Lancet, March 2016
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(16)00680-2/fulltext
[3] Sustain response to PHE Eatwell Guide launch https://www.sustainweb.org/news/mar16_eatwell/
Children’s Food Campaign:
The Children’s Food Campaign aims to improve children and young people's health by campaigning for policy changes in our schools, in our communities and throughout our society that would promote healthy and sustainable food environments. The Children's Food Campaign is supported by over 100 UK-wide and national organisations. We are co-ordinated by Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming. www.childrensfood.org.uk
The Children’s Food Campaign has been leading the campaign since 2013 for the introduction of a sugary drinks duty in the UK www.sustainweb.org/childrenshealthfund/
Published Thursday 17 March 2016
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