Health campaign groups have attacked the Chancellor’s reduction of tariffs across a swathe of HFSS products, accusing the government of an “incredible lack of joined-up thinking.”
Rachel Reeves last night revealed details of 125 everyday food items that will have import tariffs temporarily scrapped to fight inflation caused by the war in Iran.
However, with the UK facing an obesity epidemic, campaigners expressed anger that around 20 of the food categories were for products that were HFSS.
Those in the lineup include chocolate bars, chocolate drinks, cocoa and sugar confectionery.
Also receiving a holiday from tariffs until the end of 2028 are products such as boiled sweets, toffees and caramels, biscuits and crisps.
The reduction in tariffs for such products comes six months after government advertising restrictions came into force banning HFSS products form being advertised on TV before 9pm and online at any time, which Labour billed as a “landmark plan to protect children”.
“People need serious support with the cost of living, and that means making it easier to access healthy food,” said Barbara Crowther, campaign manager for the Children’s Food Campaign.
“The fact that these products led the tariff cut announcement exposes a total lack of cohesion in terms of food and health policy.
“On the one hand, government is investing billions in improving health prevention and treatment including expensive weight management medications, while the Treasury offers to make junk food even cheaper and suspend health regulation on the other, in return for short-term voluntary price pledges from the food industry.”
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