News

BSDA responds to drinks tax

18 Mar 2016

Following the announcement by the UK government in its budget that it planned to levy a tax on soft drinks containing sugar that will raise an estimated £520 million from 2020 the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) has issued a response.

Following the announcement by the UK government in its budget that it planned to levy a tax on soft drinks containing sugar that will raise an estimated £520 million from 2020 (which will be used to fund sports in primary schools) the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) has issued a response.

“We are extremely disappointed by the Government’s decision to hit the only category in the food and drink sector which has consistently reduced sugar intake in recent years - down 13.6% since 2012,” said Gavin Partington, Director General, BSDA. “We are the only category with an ambitious plan for the years ahead – in 2015 we agreed a calorie reduction goal of 20% by 2020.”

“By contrast sugar and calorie intake from all other major take home food categories is increasing – which makes the targeting of soft drinks simply absurd.”