George Osborne’s ‘Sugar Tax’ will only knock FIVE calories from Brits’ daily diets
Damning study into Chancellor's controversial levy says it will shave off the equivalent of a spoonful of soup
GEORGE OSBORNE’s ‘Sugar Tax’ will only knock FIVE calories from Brits’ daily diets – equal to a spoon of soup, a damning report claims today.
The Taxpayers Alliance said that evidence from Mexico showed the Chancellor’s Soft Drinks levy will have barely any effect on people’s health.
Mexico introduced a one peso per litre sugar tax in 2014 on fizzy drinks – but average daily consumption has fallen by only 10 millilitres per day or 4.6 calories.
The watchdog said the calorie drop is equivalent to one bite of an apple, 5% of a slice of Tesco wholemeal bread or 2.3% of a can of Heinz Tomato Soup.
Taxpayers Alliance chief Jonathan Isaby said: “It is astonishing that the government is pressing ahead with this pernicious tax when the evidence clearly suggests that it will simply not affect consumption in any meaningful way.
“As with any regressive tax, this will only raise living costs for hard-pressed families, already struggling with big tax bills.”
He added: “Politicians must look at the evidence and ignore the High Priests of the Nanny State in the public health lobby, and abolish the Sugar Tax before it is too late.”
The watchdog last month demanded the Chancellor drop his “bungled” tax –and revealed that milk-based and coffee drinks contained more sugar than those in the soft drinks category he is targeting.
A Starbucks Signature Hot Chocolate with whipped cream and coconut milk has 11 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres, trumping the 10.6 grams in a can of Coke.
Under plans detailed in the Budget in March, the Chancellor wants to slap as much as 48p on two-litre bottle of own-brand Coke to tackle childhood obesity.
The Office for Budget Responsibility says the Soft Drinks levy could raise as much as £1 billion a year for Treasury when it comes into force at the start of 2018.
Lawyers argue the tax will almost certainly be blocked by European courts on discriminatory grounds – given the high sugar laden drinks that will escape the duty.
A Treasury spokesman said: “This is a ridiculous report. Medical authorities have been clear that sugar-loaded drinks are the biggest source of sugar for our children and that this has become a public health emergency.
"It cannot be right that young children get more than twice their entire recommended daily intake of sugar from a single can."
He added: “A responsible Government cannot stand by and do nothing when doctors have warned that childhood obesity means this generation could be the first for centuries that dies younger than their parents.”
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