Public Health England has issued a statement on the Treasury announcement of a levy on high sugar drinks from 2018.

The iHV very much welcomes this and health visitors will help to explain to parents why it is so important.

Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive of Public Health England, said:

“A sugary drinks levy is fabulous news for children and families in helping them to cut back on sugar. This will reduce the risks of obesity, tooth decay and other life threatening diseases. This is public health in action and a great foundation ahead of the child obesity strategy later this summer.

A levy or tax was 1 of 8 recommendations from PHE’s evidence review on sugar reduction and is a stunning early indication of the Government’s commitment to reducing child obesity. The Chancellor has firmly set this in the context of every child having the right to a good start to life, especially good that the money raised will be used to boost funding for school based exercise and sport.”

Child obesity data from 2006/07 to 2014/15 are now available in an online child obesity local authority data tool from PHE.

The tool provides local authority level child data (underweight, healthy weight, obese, excess weight – overweight including obese) for Reception (aged 4–5yrs) and Year 6 (aged 10–11yrs).

The tool also presents trend data and enables easy comparison of local authority data, allowing users to compare regional neighbours and local authorities with similar characteristics. For the first time, the tool now includes inequality data (sex, deprivation and ethnic group).

baby being weighed

baby being weighed