Budget 2016: How much your favourite drinks will cost after the sugar tax comes in
The levy is being introduced to tackle the obesity crisis
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Chancellor George Osborne has announced a new sugar tax on soft drinks in the 2016 Budget, as the Government attempts to combat the childhood obesity crisis.
The measure will put soft drinks into two bands: one for products containing 5g of sugar and above per 100ml, and one for those with 8g per 100ml.
The levy will be imposed at a rate of 18p or 24p per litre, respectively, according to which band the drink falls into.
It will also be assessed according to the volume of sugar-sweetened drinks produced or imported by manufacturers.
Mr Osborne told the House of Commons that the levy will be introduced in two years in order to allow firms time to change their ingredients.
Considering that soft drink cans contain 330ml of liquid, drinks in the upper band will be approximately 8p more expensive per can, 12p for a small bottle and 40p for 1.75litre bottles.
Drinks that fall into this category include: original non-diet Coca-Cola and Pepsi drinks which contain around 35g per 330ml can, Old Jamaica ginger beer at 52.8g, Capri Sun blackcurrant with 24g per 220ml, and Red Bull at 27.5g per 250ml can.
Containing 27g of sugar per 250ml diluted serving, Ribenna will also be included, as well as Lucozade Energy at 12g per 100ml, Irn-Bru at 10.3g per 100ml, and Fever Tree tonic water, with 7.8g of sugar per 100ml.
Products that fall into the lower category would cost around 6p more per can.
The lower rate would catch drinks such as Dr Pepper, with 18g of sugar per 250ml serving, Fanta, containing 23g sugar per can, Sprite at 22g per can, as well as Schweppes Indian tonic water at 5.1g per 100ml, and alcohol-free shandy.
However, other popular drinks will not be taxed including: Volvic Touch of Fruit, Vimto, Powerade and Tropicana Smooth Orange.
Fruit juices and dairy drinks would be exempt, as well as products by small manufacturers.
Additional reporting by PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments