Budget’s sugar tax will hit soft drinks industry

Soft drinks with added sugar will be hit with with a new tax from 2018, the Government has announced in the Budget.

The levy, will be paid by producers and importers of soft drinks and will be charged on total sugar content volumes, with a main rate charge for drinks above 5g of sugar per 100ml and a higher rate for drinks with more than 8g of sugar per 100ml.

Chancellor George Osborne said: “Let me give credit where credit is due, many in the soft drinks industry recognise there is a problem and are starting to reformulate their products.

“Robinsons recently removed added sugar from many of their cordials and squashes. Industry can act, and with the right incentives I’m sure it will.”

What will be affected by the new sugar tax? Find out here.