The issue of childhood obesity and poor dental health in the UK is a near constant topic of conversation in the media, and time and time again, the suggestion of a sugar tax has been raised.
While many have expressed a lack of support for such a tax however, it looks like the British Government has just given it the green light, in Budget 2016.
Announcing the main provisions in this, his eighth Budget, George Osborne this afternoon confirmed that a sugar levy on soft drinks is set to be introduced. Pure fruit juice and milk-based drinks are to be excluded.
The levy on the soft drinks industry is set to be introduced in two years’ time, and the extra £520m is billed to be spent on primary school activities such as sport.
Do people think a #sugartax is going to slow the consumption of soft drinks?
— Lee-Loi Chieng (@LeeLoiChieng) March 16, 2016
It’ll end up being less money in the pockets for a dentist.
Well done @jamieoliver on the #sugartax. Passionate campaigner and businessman and not to far from our youngest national treasure.
— Alex Smith (@alexsmith1982) March 16, 2016
@crumbsfood Fingers crossed but I'm a bit sceptical if it will actually work in reality #sugartax
— Mr Eater (@mr_eater1) March 16, 2016
Earlier today, it was reported that a number of ‘bold decisions’ would be made in the education sector, and Osborne has certainly followed through in this area, also.
As well as the plan for all schools to become academies by 2022, Osborne announced that a quarter of England’s secondary schools will stay open after 15:30 each day.
The new budgetary plan has also been tipped to accommodate all pupils to study maths until the age of 18.
What are your thoughts on the latest provisions? The ‘sugar tax’ has proven to be a very divisive topic already.
