Students revolt over university’s sugar tax

STUDENTS in Brighton are in revolt after their university became the first in the country to impose a sugar tax.

Campaigners say the 10p levy on drinks containing added sugar will hit poor students the hardest.

The move at the University of Brighton won the backing of Jamie Oliver, the chef, as well as officers at the student union but is facing a backlash from students.

A group called Brighton Students Against Sugar Tax is attempting to block the union from enforcing the levy in its own outlets and is lobbying the University, which had a surplus of more than £7million last year, to scrap the policy.

Jeremy Gale, one of the student campaigners, said: “The university’s income has flourished despite a reduction in grants and a reliance on student fees.

“Why, then, doesn’t the university reinvest a small percentage of its bulging surplus into food education and healthy eating initiatives, rather than relying on a regressive and punitive levy that will hurt the poorest students the most?”

The university has defended the levy, which it introduced to support Brighton council’s Sugar Smart City policy. This aims to encourage businesses, restaurants and households to reduce sugar consumption.

A statement by the university said: “Our ‘Sugar Smart’ campaign forms part of a broader programme to promote healthy eating and lifestyles amongst our students.

“This includes adding additional low and no-sugar products to the existing range that we make available and providing cooking and nutrition advice and education. Students will still have a choice over what they consume.” It said that all money raised from the levy will be reinvested in the wider healthy food programme.

A UK sugar tax will be introduced in 2018, raising an estimated £520 million a year to increase funding for sports in primary schools.