What's happened
The UK government will lower the sugar threshold for the soft drinks levy from 5g to 4.5g per 100ml and remove the exemption for milk-based drinks, effective from January 2028. The move aims to reduce childhood obesity and improve public health, giving manufacturers two years to reformulate products.
What's behind the headline?
The expansion of the sugar tax to include milk-based drinks signals a decisive shift in public health policy. By lowering the sugar threshold and removing exemptions, the government aims to incentivize manufacturers to reformulate products, potentially reducing millions of calories consumed daily. This move will likely face resistance from the soft drinks industry, which has previously expressed concerns about recipe reformulation challenges. However, the policy's success in reducing sugar content—evidenced by a 46% reduction in sugar in fizzy drinks since 2018—suggests it will continue to drive healthier product development. The focus on childhood health, especially dental health, underscores the government's prioritization of long-term health outcomes over industry pushback.
What the papers say
The Guardian reports that the government will expand the levy to include milk-based drinks and lower the sugar threshold, emphasizing public health benefits. Politico highlights the government's stance on tackling childhood obesity and the economic rationale behind the policy. The Independent notes the potential industry backlash and the broader context of upcoming budget measures. Sky News confirms the policy details and the government's commitment to reducing sugar intake among children, citing health secretary Wes Streeting's statements. All sources agree that the move aims to curb obesity and improve children's health, though industry concerns about recipe reformulation persist.
How we got here
The soft drinks industry levy, introduced in 2018, was designed to curb sugar consumption and combat obesity. Initially exempting milk-based drinks due to calcium concerns, the government has now decided to include these products after high sugar levels in some prompted health concerns. The move aligns with ongoing efforts to improve children's health and reduce NHS costs related to obesity.
Go deeper
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Wesley Paul William Streeting is a British politician serving as the Member of Parliament for Ilford North since 2015, and since 2020 as Shadow Minister for Schools.
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Rachel Jane Reeves is a British Labour Party politician serving as Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office since 2020. She has been the Member of Parliament for Leeds West since 2010.