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Sugar tax backed by health chiefs | Sugar tax backed by health chiefs |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Public health chiefs have advised the health secretary to introduce a sugar tax as part of a range of measures to tackle child obesity. | Public health chiefs have advised the health secretary to introduce a sugar tax as part of a range of measures to tackle child obesity. |
Ahead of their child obesity strategy, ministers asked Public Health England to review the evidence on how to reduce sugar consumption. | Ahead of their child obesity strategy, ministers asked Public Health England to review the evidence on how to reduce sugar consumption. |
But PHE has come under criticism for not releasing the findings of its report. | But PHE has come under criticism for not releasing the findings of its report. |
And the body has now confirmed a sugar tax is one of its recommendations. | And the body has now confirmed a sugar tax is one of its recommendations. |
The acknowledgement came after PHE director of diet and obesity Dr Alison Tedstone appeared before MPs on Tuesday saying the organisation "does see a role for a fiscal approach" and the higher the tax increase "the greater the effect". | |
Afterwards, sources at PHE confirmed the report specifically called for him to consider a sugar tax, adding this was not the most important of its recommendations. | |
In her evidence to the Health Select Committee Dr Tedstone said action was also needed on promotions and advertising, citing: | In her evidence to the Health Select Committee Dr Tedstone said action was also needed on promotions and advertising, citing: |
The food industry must also be pressured to cut the amount of sugar in its products in the same way it had done with salt, Dr Tedstone said. | The food industry must also be pressured to cut the amount of sugar in its products in the same way it had done with salt, Dr Tedstone said. |
But she added: "PHE does see there is a role for a fiscal approach in reducing sugary drink consumption. | But she added: "PHE does see there is a role for a fiscal approach in reducing sugary drink consumption. |
"The higher the tax increase the greater the effect," she said, pointing out that in Mexico a fizzy drinks tax had led to a 6% fall in consumption, with the biggest impact on the poorest people. | "The higher the tax increase the greater the effect," she said, pointing out that in Mexico a fizzy drinks tax had led to a 6% fall in consumption, with the biggest impact on the poorest people. |
"The point of the tax is to nudge people away from purchasing these things towards purchasing things that are more consistent with a healthy balanced diet," she said. | "The point of the tax is to nudge people away from purchasing these things towards purchasing things that are more consistent with a healthy balanced diet," she said. |
'No conspiracy' | 'No conspiracy' |
However, Dr Tedstone also said that her review had concluded tax was only the fourth most effective way to fight obesity. | However, Dr Tedstone also said that her review had concluded tax was only the fourth most effective way to fight obesity. |
"We think there could be bigger impacts from getting a handle on promotions, and of getting a handle on the deep, consistent advertising our children are exposed to on unhealthy foods," she said. | "We think there could be bigger impacts from getting a handle on promotions, and of getting a handle on the deep, consistent advertising our children are exposed to on unhealthy foods," she said. |
About 40% of food sold in England was discounted and these deals were "heavily weighted" towards sweet and fatty products, Dr Tedstone's research found. | About 40% of food sold in England was discounted and these deals were "heavily weighted" towards sweet and fatty products, Dr Tedstone's research found. |
She said these promotions did not cut costs for consumers but simply "lead to us buying more food". | She said these promotions did not cut costs for consumers but simply "lead to us buying more food". |
She added: "PHE are advising that promotions need to be restricted and rebalanced if we want to reduce sugar consumption." | She added: "PHE are advising that promotions need to be restricted and rebalanced if we want to reduce sugar consumption." |
Her appearance before MPs followed that of her boss, Duncan Selbie, on Monday, who had to defend the non-release of the report in a tense session. | Her appearance before MPs followed that of her boss, Duncan Selbie, on Monday, who had to defend the non-release of the report in a tense session. |
He said there was "no conspiracy" and it would be released alongside the government's child obesity strategy in January. | He said there was "no conspiracy" and it would be released alongside the government's child obesity strategy in January. |
The view within PHE is that as the review was commissioned by ministers, it is up to them to release it. | The view within PHE is that as the review was commissioned by ministers, it is up to them to release it. |
The Department of Health said it would be considering the PHE recommendations as it drew up its strategy. | The Department of Health said it would be considering the PHE recommendations as it drew up its strategy. |
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