Britain is set to be among the first countries in the world to adopt a sugar tax, with a levy on sugary drinks the centrepiece of the Government’s “far-reaching plan” to tackle childhood obesity.
The Government has this morning launched a consultation on the introduction of a sugar tax, which is due to come into force in April 2018.
However, restrictions on advertising and promotional deals on junk food have been removed from the plan.
Aside from the tax the main industry facing measure is set to be a raft of sugar reduction targets across products popular with children, with the government out to achieve a 20% reduction by 2020.
The plan will see the food and drinks industry ‘working towards’ lower sugar content in products often consumed by children, but the Department of Health has set out no sanctions that they will face if they do not achieve the aim.
The long-term goal is for a 20% reduction, including a 5% reduction in year one, with Public Health England to publish a six-monthly update into their progress. Companies will be able to achieve the targets via a combination of reformulation and smaller portions.
Meanwhile money raised from the levy will be invested in programmes to reduce obesity and encourage physical activity and balanced diets for school children. The document does say that unless there has been ‘sufficient progress by 2020’ it ‘will use other levers to achieve the same aims’.
New public health minister Nicola Blackwood added: “This government is absolutely committed to reducing childhood obesity and one of the best ways to do this is to boost sports in schools. Team GB has been a huge inspiration at the Rio Olympics. We need to keep that inspiration alive when children go back to school in September - that’s why we’re asking schools and parents to ensure children do an extra hour an of physical activity every day.”
The government plan also asks primary schools to help every pupil get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day.
It is also developing a healthy rating scheme which will recognise how primary schools support their pupils to eat healthily and move more and how they can improve further; which Ofsted will take account of in school inspections.
It will also look to develop clearer information about the food families, claiming the UK’s decision to leave the EU would give the government greater flexibility to determine what information should be presented on packaged food, on top of the existing traffic light scheme.
“This plan is the first step on the long road to tackling childhood obesity - one of the most important issues for the future of our children,” said Public Health England chief executive Duncan Selbie. “It outlines significant steps to tackle the problem head on including a commitment to introduce a levy on sugary drinks and an ambitious programme to reduce the level of sugar in food and drink, which we are proud to be leading on.”
However, Jamie Oliver, a long-time campaigner for a tax on sugary drinks, said the strategy laid out by the Government was “far from robust”.
He said: “I’m in shock. The long-awaited Childhood Obesity Strategy from Theresa May’s new Government is far from robust, and I don’t know why was it shared during recess. It contains a few nice ideas, but so much is missing. It was set to be one of the most important health initiatives of our time, but look at the words used – ‘should, might, we encourage’ – too much of it is voluntary, suggestive, where are the mandatory points? Where are the actions on the irresponsible advertising targeted at our children, and the restrictions on junk food promotions?
“The sugary drinks tax seems to be the only clear part of this strategy, and with funds going directly to schools that’s great, but in isolation it’s not enough. This strategy was Britain’s opportunity to lead the way and to implement real, meaningful environmental change, to start removing the crippling financial burden from our NHS and reversing the tide of diet-related disease. With this disappointing, and frankly, underwhelming strategy the health of our future generations remains at stake. I sincerely hope the Government’s promise to ‘take further action where it is needed’ is true.”
The Obesity Health Alliance, which includes the RCGP, called the plan ‘a missed opportunity’ and condemned its omitting regulation on junk food advertising.
It said in a statement: “[W]e need strong and bold Government action to make it as easy as possible for children and their families to make healthier choices and lead healthier lives. While the launch of the soft drinks industry levy consultation is an important step, the Government’s plan falls disappointingly short of what is needed.
“In particular, there is strong evidence that shows that targets, backed by regulation, for the food and drinks industry to make their products healthier and removing junk food advertising before the 9pm watershed would have a huge impact on reducing levels of obesity so it is very disappointing to see that both of these measures have been significantly watered down or removed entirely.”
