Calls to impose tax on sugar

A tax on sugary drinks could prevent 3.7million cases of obesity in the UK over the next decade, according to a report.

The figures will increase pressure on the Government over its strategy on childhood obesity, which is due to be published in the next few weeks.

Cancer Research UK and the UK Health Forum calculated that a 20% t ax on sugary drinks could reduceobesity rates in the UK by 5% by 2025.

This is equal to 3.7 million fewer obese people.

The report also predicts that a sugar tax could save the NHS about £ 10million in healthcare and social care costs i n 2025 alone.

Several charities and high-profile campaigners, including celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, are calling for a sugar tax as part of a range of measures to cut obesity and the amount of sugar in children’s diets.

Alison Cox, Cancer Research UK’s director of cancer prevention, said: “Theripple effect of a small tax on sugary drinks is enormous. These numbers make it clear whywe need to act now.

“There are a lot of things working against us when it comes to making h e a l t h i e r choices. We’re all bombarded by junk food advertising of cheap foods packed with extra calories and it can be tough for parents t o do what’s best for their children.”

Jane Landon, deputy chief executive of theUK Health Forum, said: “Countries which have introduced a tax on sugary drinks have not only reduced consumption, they have raised muchneeded revenues for public health measures.” Scotland and the UK must be a “critical friend” to Malawi, David Mundell insisted yesterday as his trip to the south-east African country drew to a close.

The Scottish secretary reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting those in difficulty through aid. But he stressed the need for reform if Malawi – currently in the grip of a food shortage crisis – is to find sustainable solutions to the challenges it faces.

The Tory Cabinet minister made the comments after a visit to Phuti primary school in Likuni, which is supported by Scotland-

“We’re all bombarded by junk food advertising” “If you don’t see reform, there will not be investors coming in”

based charity Mary’s Meals.

It provides chronically hungry children with one meal every day through s c hool feeding programmes, owned and run by community volunteers.

At the school, which is free and educates children aged between five and 15, Mr Mundell met pupils, staff and community elders. Speaking at the end of his three- day visit to Malawi, he told the Press and Journal: “It has been really useful, enjoyable but also a challenging visit for me. I come away with the view there are huge opportunities in Malawi, but also hugechallenges tobefaced, aswemadeclear to thegovernment. This is 13-year-old Madalitso Vincent Banda.

She walks four miles to school every day and the same distance home again, leaving her house at 5.30am and not getting back until 6pm.

Maths and science are her favourite subjects and she wants to be a nurse when she grows up so she can look after children.

Asked what she likes about going to Phuti primary school, she told the Press and Journal: “The best thing about coming here is I know I will eat porridge. When I eat por- ridge, I can concentrate in class.

“When the teacher is teaching someone with an empty stomach they will not concentrate.

“Most of the learners, they actually come to school without eating something from home. But when they come here, they know they will eat something.”

Gifted Dixon, 14, is in the same year as Madalitso and like her he has a long walk to and from school each day.

The aspiring engineer, who enjoys English and Maths lessons, praised his teachers’ commitment and the atmosphere in the school.

He added: “I just want to be educated. When I started, I was very happy to come here.

“The teachers are very committed to this school. That’s why I was sent here by my parents.”

Mary’s Meals, which provides food for more than one million children in developing countries, receives funding from both the UK and Scottish Governments.

The former has recently agreed match funding worth £1.5million – with the possibility of more depending on how much the charity manages to raise itself.

An announcement on the full amount is expected in the next few weeks.

In Malawi, where the charity started in 2002, it is currently providing 814,000 children in 635 primary schools and 44 community-based childcare centres with a daily meal. The number of children participating in the Mary’s Meals programme continues to grow each month as new schools are reached and more children enrol.

Madalitso Vincent Banda, left, and Gifted Dixon