Expanding the sugar tax won’t save any lives

Labour may not have been forthcoming about most of their tax and spend plans during the election. But on one topic the party was crystal clear: a Labour government would beef up the nanny state. Politicians weren’t shy about this. It was Wes Streeting’s idea to adopt New Zealand’s (now abandoned) plans for a generational smoking ban, picked up months later by Rishi Sunak. Keir Starmer kicked off the year embracing the nanny state, saying he was ‘up for that fight’. 

It’s no surprise then that health campaigners and groups are flocking towards new government aides to discuss what can be taxed or banned next. According to reports today, an extension of ‘sin taxes’ might be on the agenda: something akin to the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (known as the ‘sugar tax’) to be slapped on a whole array of sugary and salty foods. Chocolate bars, cake and crisps are all reported to be targets of government considerations to expand a sugar (and salt) tax.