HealthWatch UK debate - Sugar Tax

HealthWatch UK 2016 Debate swoops in on sugar tax

King’s College London Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery hosted the annual HealthWatch UK debate at its Waterloo campus on the 23rd of May. HealthWatch UK, a charity which campaigns to ensure that health policy is based on clear, evidence-based medical and scientific research, chose sugar and sugar tax as the focus of its debate.

A petition calling for a tax to be levied on sugary drinks was presented to Parliament in November 2015, following growing concern amongst health professionals about the rise in obesity and diabetes in the UK population. Parliament debated the proposal for a ‘sugar tax’ but rejected the proposal. However, in the March 2016 Budget, Chancellor George Osborne announced that a sugar levy would be imposed on the soft drinks industry in 2018.

Many feel the Chancellor’s ‘sugar tax’ does not go far enough. The proposition for HealthWatch UK’s debate was ‘This house believes all sugary foods should be taxed, not just sugary drinks.’

The evening began with a welcome from Professor Debra Bick, Professor of Evidence-Based Midwifery Practice at the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery and Vice-Chairman of HealthWatch UK. Dr James May, HealthWatch UK Chairman, then provided a brief background on HealthWatch and its work, before handing over to the Chair for the evening, HealthWatch patron and comedian Robin Ince.

Robin Ince introduced each panel member in turn.

Speaking in favour of the motion were:

Dr Aseem Malhotra, Honorary Consultant Cardiologist, Lister Hospital Stevenage, and Advisor to the National Obesity Foru, who asserted, ‘policy-based interventions are more effective.’

Dr Malhotra was seconded by Dr Carwyn Rhys Hooper, Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's, University of London.

Speaking against the motion were:

Professor Richard Tiffin, Professor of Applied Economics, University of Reading. Professor Tiffin said, ‘tax is too blunt an instrument…tax only causes marginal changes.’

Professor Tiffin was seconded by Emeritus Professor, of Nutritional Biochemistry, Professor David Bender of University College London.

Robin Ince expertly chaired the lively debate, which was followed by questions from the audience.

Before the debate, 64 audience members were in favour of the motion, 32 against.

After the debate, the figures were 53 in favour and 43 against – a slight reduction in support for the motion.

 For more information on HealthWatch UK click here.

For more information on parliamentary debate on sugar tax, click here.