Of all the pledges in George Osborne’s budget announcement today, the most surprising appeared to be that of the sugar tax. As the tax was unexpected — given that it has been heavily disputed in the past — it will likely get top billing in the Budget coverage in tomorrow’s papers.
So, could there be more than meets the eye to the announcement? Given that there was plenty of bad economic news in the Budget — with growth down and extra cuts announced — the sugar tax conveniently distracts from some of the more negative news. While Mr S can’t claim to be one of Osborne’s closest confidantes, happily one such man appeared on the BBC to offer some insight into the decision.
Speaking to Huw Edwards on the BBC, Osborne’s former chief of staff Rupert Harrison appeared to admit that the sugar tax was part of a stunt to distract from other more negative Budget news:
HE: Just some thoughts from you on the way these things are planned.
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