Push up tax on sweets and salty snacks to fight obesity, say MPs

HIGHER rates of tax should be slapped on unhealthy foods to help combat the obesity epidemic, MPs said last night.

They said ministers should consider increasing VAT on foods with high fat, sugar or salt content ‘as a possible measure to tackle childhood obesity’.

The move, proposed by the Commons health select committee, could see treats such as chocolate bars or crisps become much more expensive.

The MPs also suggested the sugar tax – which currently applies only to fizzy drinks – be extended to puddings and milkshakes.

The report comes as it was revealed the childhood obesity crisis is getting worse, with more than 22,500 children aged ten and 11 classed as severely obese. Most foods in the UK are not taxed – however, many types of junk food attract the standard VAT rate of 17.5 per cent.

But other countries go further – in France, sweets, chocolates, margarine and vegetable fat attract a rate of 20.6 per cent. Healthier foods have 5.5 per cent VAT.

The MPs’ report said: ‘We recommend that the Government undertake a consultation on the adjustment of VAT rates on food and drink after Brexit as a possible measure to tackle childhood obesity.’

Jack Winkler, professor of nutrition policy at London Metropolitan University, told the committee: ‘The next chapter in the childhood obesity plan should make clear an explicit objective not just to make the healthy choice the easier choice but to make the healthy choice the cheaper choice.’

The committee also called on the sugar levy to be extended to chocolate and puddings ‘if there is not substantially faster progress on reformulation’ this year.

Dr Sarah Wollaston, Conserva- tive MP and chairman of the committee, said: ‘Obesity rates are highest for children from the most disadvantaged communities and this unacceptable health inequality has widened every year since records began.

‘The consequences for these children are appalling and this can no longer be ignored.’

The MPs also called for a 9pm watershed on junk food adverts on TV, as well as a ban on cartoon characters promoting unhealthy food.

Such a ban could mean figures such as Tony the Tiger and the Milky Bar Kid have to be dropped. The MPs also said ministers should end sports sponsorship deals by brands heavily associated with unhealthy food, and supermarket check-outs should be sweetfree. Their report also advocated a ban on junk food billboard adverts near schools, calorie labelling on takeaways and targets to improve breastfeeding rates.

Meanwhile, social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube should reduce children’s exposure to inappropriate advertising

‘Spiralling beyond control’

and marketing. Dr Modi Mwatsama, of the Obesity Health Alliance, said: ‘This is a superb report... Government must take strong measures to tackle childhood obesity if we’re to prevent this spiralling beyond control.’

But Christopher Snowdon of the Institute of Economic Affairs said: ‘Raising taxes and banning retailers from offering discounts on a vast range of food will inevitably lead to bigger shopping bills... people on low incomes will be hit hardest of all.’