This petition was submitted during the 2017–2019 Conservative government
Petition Implement a 5% junk food tax and use this money to fund a healthy food subsidy
Junk food remains cheaper in many cases than healthy food, and with poverty levels in the UK rising, more people are buying junk food over healthy food. Obesity rates are rising, and this is creating pressure on the NHS and lowering productivity in the UK. It's time to make healthy food cheaper.
More details
In 2016, 26% of adults in the UK were classified as obese and this number is only continuing to rise. 20% of children leaving primary school are also obese. This all creates a drain on NHS funding to the tune of £6.1 billion in 2014/15 and lowers overall productivity while shortening people's lifespans.
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/10/e014632
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-obesity-and-the-food-environment/health-matters-obesity-and-the-food-environment--2
This petition closed early because of a General Election Find out more on the Petitions Committee website