An advice has been given out by Jamie Oliver to David Cameron. He said that Cameron should be brave and show the big companies who is the boss by imposing tax on sugary drinks.
As reported by Independent UK, Jamie Oliver appeared before the Health Select Committee. The chef is reported to spearhead a campaign to cut the country's sugar consumption. He stated that successive governments had done nothing an incredible disservice to children by failing to stop the unhealthy diets.
He hypothetically introduced tax of 20 percent per litre on the cost of sugary drinks which he pointed out, can be used to raise money to be shard between the NHS and primary schools.
The Government was reported to be under fire in recent days for failing to publish a review of international evidence on measures to cut sugar consumption which is carried out byt the arms-length, Public Health England. This includes regulation on advertising and taxes.
Jamie Oliver has argued why the public has not seen the evidence. The Department of Health has said that the review will be published at the same time as the Government's new strategy to reduce childhood obesity will be revealed.
"The discussions I've had are robust and Mr Cameron is reviewing everything, [and] seems to be interrogating it really well," he said. "We need to make sure that he is brave."
Such a tax would not be "radical" he said, pointing to similar measures already in force in France and Mexico. "When the single largest source sugar into our children and teenagers' diet is sugar-sweetened drinks, at what point can point can business have free rein to be effective and profitable? The tax does just remind them who's boss," he said.
He also added that ministers should "work out who is running the country". "Is it the businesses that are profiting from ill health in our children or is it us?"
Meanwhile, the Department of Health spokesperson was reported saying, "This Government is committed to turning the tide on childhood obesity. That is why we are developing a comprehensive strategy looking at all the factors, including sugar consumption, that contribute to a child becoming overweight and obese. This will be published in the coming months."
