Brits will be forced to pay extra 10p for a can of Coke as experts slam ‘useless’ sugar tax that hurts poor families
A CAN of Coke could rise 10p as the sugar tax starts today.
Daniel Pryor of the Adam Smith Institute think tank called the levy “clearly useless”, adding: “There is no evidence it works.”
Mr Pryor blasted the sugar tax, saying: “Our poorly-designed, paternalistic sugary drinks tax will hurt poor people.
“Many of those hit by the sugar tax will simply substitute more expensive soft drinks for cheaper (but still sugary) alternatives, or other sugary drinks like milkshakes.
“Or get their serotonin fix from other goods.”
But the levy would deter 47 per cent of all Brits, a poll found.
Associate director of food and drink at analysts Mintel Emma Clifford said: “A war is being waged against sugar by the Government and the media.
“It’s encouraging that Britons are making more of an effort to eat more healthily, though they continue to enjoy permissible indulgences.
“However, there is potential for this overarching healthy eating trend to be undermined by consumers’ incomes being squeezed.”
Coca Cola has also slammed the Treasury’s sugar tax.
The US soft drinks giant has decided not to change the recipe of classic Coca Cola because “people who drink it tell us not to”.
It adds up to 24p per litre on drinks based on sugar levels.
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