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Welsh government backs plan for 'pop tax' on sugary drinks Welsh government backs plan for 'pop tax' on sugary drinks
(35 minutes later)
The Welsh government has backed the idea of introducing a tax on sugary drinks in the battle to cut rates of obesity and diabetes.The Welsh government has backed the idea of introducing a tax on sugary drinks in the battle to cut rates of obesity and diabetes.
The finance minister, Jane Hutt, told the Welsh assembly that a levy could “add to the armoury of initiatives” to tackle the problems associated with sugary drinks. She said: “There is a strong case in principle for developing proposals in relation to a levy.”The finance minister, Jane Hutt, told the Welsh assembly that a levy could “add to the armoury of initiatives” to tackle the problems associated with sugary drinks. She said: “There is a strong case in principle for developing proposals in relation to a levy.”
Hutt said Wales could draw on the experiences of countries such as Mexico, France and Hungary, which have introduced similar taxes, but said it would be challenging to draw up a law that worked. Hutt said Wales could draw on the experiences of countries such as Mexico, France and Hungary, which have introduced similar taxes, but said it would be challenging to draw up a law that worked. Previously the Labour-led government had rejected the idea of a so-called “pop tax”, which has long been championed by the Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru.
Previously the Labour-led government had rejected the idea of a so-called “pop tax”, which has long been championed by the Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru.
Plaid put forward a motion to the assembly calling for the government to bring forward proposals that would allow the next administration, after next year’s elections, to introduce a levy on sugary drinks. Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats supported the motion.Plaid put forward a motion to the assembly calling for the government to bring forward proposals that would allow the next administration, after next year’s elections, to introduce a levy on sugary drinks. Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats supported the motion.
Plaid Cymru’s health spokeswoman, Elin Jones, said: “The national assembly for Wales is in favour of Plaid Cymru’s proposal for a pop tax. More and more organisations and experts have called for a tax on sugary drinks, including celebrity chef Jamie Oliver who has supported Plaid Cymru’s policy.Plaid Cymru’s health spokeswoman, Elin Jones, said: “The national assembly for Wales is in favour of Plaid Cymru’s proposal for a pop tax. More and more organisations and experts have called for a tax on sugary drinks, including celebrity chef Jamie Oliver who has supported Plaid Cymru’s policy.
“Excess sugar consumption is one of the biggest risks to public health, and unless we take action the threat will continue to grow. I’m pleased that the Welsh government has today U-turned and supported our proposals.”“Excess sugar consumption is one of the biggest risks to public health, and unless we take action the threat will continue to grow. I’m pleased that the Welsh government has today U-turned and supported our proposals.”
Really pleased to get majority support now for @Plaid_Cymru poptax https://t.co/VuqQHIBv9fReally pleased to get majority support now for @Plaid_Cymru poptax https://t.co/VuqQHIBv9f
The Conservatives’ health spokesman, Darren Millar, spoke against the idea during the debate. He said: “A Tango tax is not the answer to the public health crisis that is growing in Wales. The reality is that only 3% of the calories consumed in Wales come from soft drinks. If we think we are going to make a huge difference from taxing sugary drinks then we are hugely mistaken.”The Conservatives’ health spokesman, Darren Millar, spoke against the idea during the debate. He said: “A Tango tax is not the answer to the public health crisis that is growing in Wales. The reality is that only 3% of the calories consumed in Wales come from soft drinks. If we think we are going to make a huge difference from taxing sugary drinks then we are hugely mistaken.”
He said soft drinks manufacturers had made “huge inroads” into sugar reduction, and he asked whether other drinks containing sugar – from fruit juice to milk drinks and beer – would also be taxed. He said soft drinks manufacturers had made huge inroads into sugar reduction, and he asked whether other drinks containing sugar – from fruit juice to milk drinks and beer – would also be taxed. “If you think adding pennies is going to discourage youngsters across this country from buying the occasional can of Coke or the occasional Fanta, I think you are very much mistaken,” Millar said.
“If you think adding pennies is going to discourage youngsters across this country from buying the occasional can of Coke or the occasional Fanta, I think you are very much mistaken,” Millar said. There have been a number of eyecatching health initiatives developed or considered in Wales in recent months. This month it became the first part of the UK to adopt a “deemed consent” system for organ donation. People aged 18 and over who have lived in Wales for more than 12 months and who die in the country will be regarded as having consented to organ donation unless they have opted out.
There have been a number of eye-catching health initiatives developed or considered in Wales in recent months. This month Wales became the first part of the UK to adopt a “deemed consent” system for organ donation. The government also attracted headlines – and a great deal of criticism – in the summer when it said it wanted to ban e-cigarettes from all enclosed public spaces. This week the health minister, Mark Drakeford, announced plans to water down the idea by introducing a ban in places where there is a “potential risk” to children, such as schools, restaurants and on public transport.
People aged 18 and over who have lived in Wales for more than 12 months and who die in the country will be regarded as having consented to organ donation unless they have opted out.
The government also attracted headlines – and a great deal of criticism – in the summer when it said it wanted to ban e-cigarettes from all enclosed public spaces. This week the health minister, Mark Drakeford, announced plans to water down the idea by introducing a ban in places where there is a “potential risk” to children, such schools, restaurants and on public transport.