Less Brown Sugar! Mick Jagger supports a report calling for a sugar and salt tax

Virgin Radio

16 Jul 2021, 13:30

The Rolling Stones may have had a worldwide smash hit with Brown Sugar, but now their iconic frontman has voiced his support for a report which says that sugar and salt should be taxed. 

Sir Mick Jagger has praised the recent report, which recommends salty and sugary foods are taxed, and vegetables prescribed by the NHS, saying it would “make us all healthier.”

The National Food Strategy’s report is led by businessman Henry Dimbleby. The report suggests the tax could be spent dealing with inequalities that currently exist around food. For example, expanding free school meals, or offering health food to low-income families. The report states that historic reforms of the food system are required to protect the NHS, improve the health of the nation and protect the environment.

Sir Mick took to Twitter to share the report, saying, “This report by @food_strategy has some interesting and far reaching ideas that would mean a big change for the better in our food system and make us all healthier. I hope that these plans will be taken up by this Government.” 

Commenters agreed, with one saying, “Fantastic! Making junk food, all food containing much sugar and fat, more expensive is a great idea.”

Another added, “indeed, a #SugarTax will be good for everyone.”

However, other Twitter users didn’t agree with the legendary Rolling Stone. One said, “The government has no business telling anyone what to eat.” 

Boris Johnson, when asked about the report by reporters this week, said, “I am not, I must say, attracted to the idea of extra taxes on hard-working people.”

The Prime Minister did, however, say, “I will study the report. I think it is an independent report. I think there are doubtless some good ideas in it.”

The food industry has warned that more taxes on sugar and salt could end up resulting in higher food prices in shops.

According to the BBC, Ian Wright of the Food and Drink Federation, said, “Obesity and food is very much about poverty, and we need measures to tackle poverty and to help people to make choices they need to make."

The report suggests our diet contributes to 64,000 deaths a year in England.