PDA

View Full Version : 'Fat Tax' for UK Fast Food




DamianTV
02-02-2011, 08:14 PM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1352743/Takeaways-face-1-000-fat-tax-help-curb-obesity.html#ixzz1CojNkY6L


Takeaway restaurants across the UK could be hit with a £1,000 'fat tax' to help cut rising levels of obesity.

Burger bars, kebab houses and fish and chip shops would be forced to pay the levy before being allowed to open their doors to the public.

The charge would also hit High Street fast food giants like McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut and Dominos.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/02/02/article-1352743-023C1901000004B0-502_468x286.jpg
Image Caption: Oldham council said branches of major fast food chains such as McDonald's would be charged but those which had a higher proportion of seats for 'eating in' would escape the tax.

The 'fat tax' would be spent on specific programmes aimed at promoting healthy eating among children.

The pioneering scheme is set to be launched in Oldham where levels of obesity among children are higher than the national average.

Around one in four children living in the town are obese compared to less than one in five children nationally.

But business leaders condemned the move and said the levy would stifle economic growth and force restaurants to close.

A spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses said: 'This sort of local levy is regrettable when it is paying for items that the local authority should be paying for anyway.

'We believe that when this sort of money is charged it should be channelled back into economic development.'

One takeaway owner said: 'If the council charges £1,000 for each business then scores of people are going to go under.

'Maybe really fatty food shouldn't be sold to primary-age children but people should still be able to have a choice over what food they want to eat.'

A recent survey found more than three times the proportion of nine-year-olds in Oldham are obese compared with just 10 years ago.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/02/02/article-1352743-026820E4000004B0-287_468x286.jpg
Image Caption: The 'fat tax' could soon be rolled out across Britain in towns saturated with takeaway restaurants.

Health bosses say the rise of fast food restaurants is partly to blame for poor eating habits among children

And the shocking figures have prompted local authority to take action by launching the 'fat tax' on all takeaways.

Town hall bosses say the 'fat tax' would apply to any new business seeking a licence to serve takeaway food.

Council sources said some branches of major fast food chains such as McDonald's and Burger King would be charged but those which had a higher proportion of seats for 'eating in' would escape the tax.

The council would also consider exemptions for takeaways - such as cafes and smoothie bars - that can prove they serve healthy food.

If the plans are given the go ahead and meet with Government approval then the 'fat tax' could be introduced as early as next year.

A senior council source said: 'Oldham has reached saturation point with fast food outlets. It is not healthy for our residents and it is not healthy economically.'

It is understood councils across the UK will monitor the scheme as they draw up their own plans to tackle obesity.

The move has been welcomed by health chiefs and child obesity experts.

Tam Fry of the National Obesity Forum said: 'As the Government is doing very little so it may be down to local authorities to take action and we would welcome a 'fat tax' on fast food joints - if they are going to cause the problem then they should certainly contribute to the solution.'

David Herne, of the Greater Manchester Directors of Public Health Group - an umbrella group of health chiefs across the region - said: 'We would certainly support action locally that seeks to address the continuing challenge of childhood obesity.

'More and more takeaways is an increasing concern to local residents and is contributing to a poor diet for many people in Greater Manchester.'

On average obesity reduces life expectancy by nine years and is associated with many life threatening illnesses.

Other councils in Britain have introduced measures to ban takeaways opening within 400 metres of schools and limit the concentration of takeaways in town centres and shopping parades.

As far back as 2004, the Government floated the idea of a fat tax on unhealthy foods but research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned that a fat tax on consumers would have a disproportionate effect on the poor.The proposals for a 'fat tax' are to go to a full council meeting today.

The council is also likely to approve new planning controls limiting the concentration of takeaways in town centres.