UK Government responds to sugary drink tax petition
The UK Government has responded to Sustain and Jamie Oliver's petition to say it has no plans to introduce a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
Malcolm Clark, from the Children’s Food Campaign, commented:
"It seems absurd that the Government is prematurely ruling out a potent part of its arsenal for reducing excessive sugar consumption. If the Government is serious about tackling childhood obesity and diet-related ill health, then a sugary drinks duty must be one of the options that are on the table for consideration. The evidence is there on the benefits particularly to children’s health, along with the impact that the money raised could have if put into programmes to improve children's health and protect the environment they grow up in. The public support this too, as shown through the online petition to Government, which had over 100,000 signatures within 48 hours, and continues to gather more. There is real public appetite for robust measures which will make a difference, rather than a rehash of the failed responsibility deal which has not."
Read the full response from the Government.
Notes
Children’s Food Campaign are calling on Government to impose a sugary drinks duty.
Published Monday 21 September 2015
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.
