Scheme will now cover more high-sugar drinks, including milk-based ones, in bid protect children and improve health
The UK government has announced plans to reduce the threshold of the soft drinks industry levy from 5g to 4.5g of sugar per 100ml. The new threshold will come into force on January 1, 2028; manufacturers and importers have until then to reduce levels of sugar in their drinks or be liable for the levy.
Photo by Towfiqu Barbhuiya / Unsplash
The extension means many more drinks are subject to the scheme. What’s more, the extended scheme will also encompass pre-packaged milk-based and milk-alternative drinks with added sugar, such as supermarket milkshakes, flavoured milks, sweetened yoghurt drinks, chocolate milk drinks and ready-to-drink coffees.
It’s not always obvious to consumers, but many of these products can contain as much added sugar as fizzy drinks. They were previously exempt from the levy scheme introduced in 2015.
Plain, unsweetened milk and milk-alternative drinks are not and will not be included.
Since the original scheme was introduced a decade ago, the average sugar content of drinks in its scope has fallen by almost 50%. The government expects to see a similar reduction in sugar content in the drinks now covered by the extended scheme.
The aim of the extension is to make it easier for people to buy less sugary drinks – and to encourage them to favour these over more sugary alternatives. It is part of wider efforts to improve the nation’s health. At present, the UK has the third highest levels of adult obesity across Europe. Obesity has been shown to be a root cause of diabetes, heart disease and cancer, and costs the NHS an estimated £11.4bn each year.
The extension of the levy scheme follows a public consultation held between April and July of this year. Full details of the extended scheme have been published in ‘Strengthening the soft drinks industry levy’ on the gov.uk website.
Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, says: ‘An unhealthy start to life holds kids back from day one, especially those from poor backgrounds like mine. We’re on a mission to raise the healthiest generation of children ever, and that means taking on the biggest drivers of poor health.
‘The levy has already shown that when industry cuts sugar levels, children’s health improves. So, we’re going further. A healthier nation will mean less pressure on our NHS, a healthier economy, and a happier society. It’s a simple change that is part of this government’s mission to give every child a healthy start to life.’
Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, adds: ‘Creating an environment where children are encouraged to have drinks which contribute to increased levels of obesity can harm their health for the rest of their lives. The existing soft drinks industry levy has already substantially reduced the amount of sugar in shop-bought products, helping slow the increase in childhood obesity and bring down hospital admissions for tooth extractions among young children.
‘Extending the sugar levy is likely to have further benefit for child health.’
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