Sugar tax cash should go beyond just schools

The Local Government Association has said that money raised from the soft drinks levy should go beyond the school gate and be spent on local priorities such as playgrounds, activities and afterschool clubs.

In the 12 months since the levy on sugar-sweetened drinks came into force, an estimated £250 million has been raised. The Local Government Association, which represents 370 councils in England and Wales, says funding could go towards protecting and improving children’s oral health, providing early years play equipment and activities, while also encouraging healthier eating and exercise.

Currently, funding from the levy goes towards school sports and breakfast clubs. However councils, which are responsible for public health, know their communities best and are uniquely placed to work with local groups and health services such as sports clubs, volunteers and weight loss classes to keep children active.

A greater proportion of this levy should be going to councils to spend on their local children’s health priorities. Instead of the levy sitting outside of the public health system, it should be part of a joined-up approach with schools to tackling obesity and physical activity.

“In a year since the soft drinks industry levy was introduced, manufacturers have cut the amount of sugar in their products while hundreds of millions of pounds have been raised in revenue. It is vital that the funds raised so far are invested in the best possible way to ensure that our children get the greatest start in life.

“However in order to truly tackle our child obesity epidemic, councils need to be able to use this money to intervene earlier and do more to ensure that our children stay healthy, active and develop good eating habits, which they can continue into adulthood.

“This in turn will lead to less pressure on our already overstretched public services including the NHS, saving the country much more from obesity-related treatment in future.

“Councils are uniquely placed to tackle obesity, given their links to local health, community and voluntary services, as well as schools. This includes the costs of running the Government’s National Child Measurement Programme in schools, as well as programmes such as weight management services, exercise referral schemes and offering free or reduced-cost sport.

“Giving councils a say in deciding where the revenue from the soft drinks levy is spent will help lead to better, more innovative oral health education so that parents and children are supported to understand the impact of sugar on teeth and the importance of good oral hygiene.”