Likely UK leader Truss says new junk food taxes not on her agenda

Robert Besser
05 Aug 2022, 17:08 GMT+10

Liz Truss, the frontrunner to become the next UK prime minister, said she would not impose new taxes on unhealthy food items
She plans to restrict multi-buy deals on food and drink high in fat, salt or sugar
In polls of Conservative Party members who will elect their new leader and the country's next prime minister, Truss leads her rival, former finance minister Rishi Sunak

LONDON, England: Liz Truss, the frontrunner to become the next UK prime minister, said she would not impose new taxes on unhealthy food items, though she plans to restrict multi-buy deals on food and drink high in fat, salt or sugar.

Soft drinks high in sugar are already taxed in the UK, but due to the cost-of-living crisis its ban on deals, such as "buy one get one free" on food and drink high in fat, salt or sugar was to be adopted in May, but has been delayed until October 2023.

"Those taxes are over. Talking about whether or not somebody should buy a two-for-one offer? No. There is definitely enough of that," said Truss to the Daily Mail.

The British people want the government to focus on things like delivering good transport links, communications infrastructure and cutting National Health Service waiting lists, she added, stating, "They do not want the government telling them what to eat."

In polls of Conservative Party members who will elect their new leader and the country's next prime minister, Truss leads her rival, former finance minister Rishi Sunak.

The result of the election will be announced on 5th September.

In June, John Allan, chairman of Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket group, criticized the government of then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson for not being consistent on such legislation, including over anti-obesity policies.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Japan Herald.

More Information

29 ℃

Fair in Tokyo

Asia Pacific

Section

Through investments, European Union seeks to gain influence in Pacific

WELLINGTON, New Zealand: During his visit to New Zealand, Ambassador Sujiro Seam, Head of the Delegation of the European Union ...

German fighter jets to take part in joint exercises in Australia

BERLIN, Germany: Highlighting Berlin's increasing focus on assisting in the Indo-Pacific region amidst rising tensions with China over Taiwan, Germany ...

Shanghai announces school to reopen, but fears of lockdowns persist

SHANGHAI, China: After a long period of Covid-19 closures, Shanghai has announced that it will reopen all schools, including kindergartens, ...

China, Nepal to build rail, communications network across Himalayas

BEIJING, China: Following a meeting between their foreign ministers, China and Nepal have agreed to build the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity ...

Heatwave continues in China as temperatures exceed 40C

BEIJING, China: Several regions in China experienced temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, including the major southwestern city of Chongqing.The country's ...

Jailed Australian economist, Sean Turnell, pleads not guilty in Myanmar trial

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar - Sean Turnell, an Australian academic and economic adviser to Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, detained ...

Business

Section