Petition · past parliament
Introduce a tax on sugary drinks in the UK to improve our children's health.
Closed
155,516 signatures
What the petition asks
Experts believe a tax of just 7p per regular-sized can of soft drink with added sugar could generate £1 billion per year. We believe this crucial revenue should be ring-fenced to support much needed preventative strategies in the NHS and schools around childhood obesity and diet-related disease.
Studies show that soft drinks with added sugar are the largest single source of sugar in the diet's of UK school children & teenagers
Many health experts are increasingly concerned about sugars contribution to weight gain & type-2 diabetes.
Tooth decay caused by sugar is the most common reason that children aged 5-9 years are admitted to hospital & type-2 diabetes is costing the NHS around £9 billion a year. It's clear action is needed.
Please show your support.
Jamie Oliver and Sustain
Many health experts are increasingly concerned about sugars contribution to weight gain & type-2 diabetes.
Tooth decay caused by sugar is the most common reason that children aged 5-9 years are admitted to hospital & type-2 diabetes is costing the NHS around £9 billion a year. It's clear action is needed.
Please show your support.
Jamie Oliver and Sustain
Government response · 18 September 2015
The Government has no plans to introduce a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. The Government will announce its plans for tackling childhood obesity by the end of the year.
The Government has no plans to introduce a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
The Government has committed to a tax lock to avoid raising the cost of living and to promote UK productivity and economic growth, however, the Government keeps all taxes under review, with decisions being a matter for the Chancellor as part of the Budget process.
The causes of obesity are complex, caused by a number of dietary, lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors, and tackling it will require a comprehensive and broad approach. As such, the Government is considering a range of options for tackling childhood obesity, and the contribution that Government, alongside industry, families and communities can make, and will announce its plans for tackling childhood obesity by the end of the year.
Department of Health
The Government has committed to a tax lock to avoid raising the cost of living and to promote UK productivity and economic growth, however, the Government keeps all taxes under review, with decisions being a matter for the Chancellor as part of the Budget process.
The causes of obesity are complex, caused by a number of dietary, lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors, and tackling it will require a comprehensive and broad approach. As such, the Government is considering a range of options for tackling childhood obesity, and the contribution that Government, alongside industry, families and communities can make, and will announce its plans for tackling childhood obesity by the end of the year.
Department of Health
Debate in Parliament
MPs debated this petition on 30 November 2015.
Timeline
| 26 Aug 2015 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 3 Sep 2015 | Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response |
| 5 Sep 2015 | Passed 100,000 signatures, qualifying for a parliamentary debate |
| 18 Sep 2015 | Government responded |
| 30 Nov 2015 | Debated in Parliament |
| 26 Feb 2016 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
155,516
Status
Closed
Opened
26 Aug 2015
Closed
26 Feb 2016
Response
18 Sep 2015
Debated
30 Nov 2015
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.