Menu
14/11/2012
Health Agency Calls For 'Unhealthy Food' Tax
A leading health agency, which is part-funded by the Department of Health, has called on the government to put extra tax on unhealthy foods.
In a report compilled by the National Heart Forum, deputy chief executive Jane Landon said: "Carefully applied food taxes are both cost-effective and justified to help tackle the spiralling costs and huge social burdens of non-communicable diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes caused by over-consumption of unhealthy foods high in fat, sugar and salt."
The NHF report backs "excise duties applied with care to specific food categories such as sugary soft drinks which are 'unhealthy', non-essential and which can easily be substituted for a healthier alternative". Revenue could be used to subsidise the cost of fruit and vegetables to help win public support, it recommends.
However, the NHF call comes just days after Denmark, which last year became the first country to increase duties on foods high in saturated fat, scrapped its experiment saying it had failed.
The Food and Drink Federation dismissed the NHF's call as "simply a revenue raising scheme that will hit families hard. Research shows that calorie intake from sugar sweetened drinks in the UK is just 2% so it will have an effect on people's pockets, but not their waistlines", said Terry Jones, its director of communications.
(H)
In a report compilled by the National Heart Forum, deputy chief executive Jane Landon said: "Carefully applied food taxes are both cost-effective and justified to help tackle the spiralling costs and huge social burdens of non-communicable diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes caused by over-consumption of unhealthy foods high in fat, sugar and salt."
The NHF report backs "excise duties applied with care to specific food categories such as sugary soft drinks which are 'unhealthy', non-essential and which can easily be substituted for a healthier alternative". Revenue could be used to subsidise the cost of fruit and vegetables to help win public support, it recommends.
However, the NHF call comes just days after Denmark, which last year became the first country to increase duties on foods high in saturated fat, scrapped its experiment saying it had failed.
The Food and Drink Federation dismissed the NHF's call as "simply a revenue raising scheme that will hit families hard. Research shows that calorie intake from sugar sweetened drinks in the UK is just 2% so it will have an effect on people's pockets, but not their waistlines", said Terry Jones, its director of communications.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 July 2003
New research suggests fatty foods could double breast cancer risk
A new study has suggested that women who eat fatty foods could be doubling their risk of developing breast cancer. Researchers followed the 'food diaries' of more than 13,000 women from the Norfolk area, and found that a diet high in fat corresponded to an increased incident of breast cancer.
New research suggests fatty foods could double breast cancer risk
A new study has suggested that women who eat fatty foods could be doubling their risk of developing breast cancer. Researchers followed the 'food diaries' of more than 13,000 women from the Norfolk area, and found that a diet high in fat corresponded to an increased incident of breast cancer.
30 November 2010
Corporation Tax Reform To Create 'Competition'
The Government has published details of its Corporate Tax Reform programme consisting of a series of essential reforms designed to improve the UK's tax competitiveness. Measures include the introduction of new Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules and a commitment to introduce a Patent Box.
Corporation Tax Reform To Create 'Competition'
The Government has published details of its Corporate Tax Reform programme consisting of a series of essential reforms designed to improve the UK's tax competitiveness. Measures include the introduction of new Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules and a commitment to introduce a Patent Box.
30 May 2014
More Fall Into Debt Following HMRC Overpayments
The number of issues reported to Citizens Advice of people falling into debt as a result of repaying overpaid tax credits increased by 14 per cent in the 2013/14 tax year. Tax Credit debts arise when HMRC over-estimates a person’s entitlement to financial support and ends up having to recoup overpayments.
More Fall Into Debt Following HMRC Overpayments
The number of issues reported to Citizens Advice of people falling into debt as a result of repaying overpaid tax credits increased by 14 per cent in the 2013/14 tax year. Tax Credit debts arise when HMRC over-estimates a person’s entitlement to financial support and ends up having to recoup overpayments.
06 April 2011
Government Tackle Tax Avoidance
David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, has today announced a change in legislation to prevent tax avoidance. The measure will prevent individuals from taking advantage of a tax loophole that would have emerged today had the Government not taken action.
Government Tackle Tax Avoidance
David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, has today announced a change in legislation to prevent tax avoidance. The measure will prevent individuals from taking advantage of a tax loophole that would have emerged today had the Government not taken action.
18 March 2004
Chancellor’s film relief rules broadly welcomed
Chancellor Gordon Brown’s decision to offset the closing of a tax loophole widely used by filmmakers with extended tax relief has been generally well received by industry bodies.
Chancellor’s film relief rules broadly welcomed
Chancellor Gordon Brown’s decision to offset the closing of a tax loophole widely used by filmmakers with extended tax relief has been generally well received by industry bodies.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
