FDBusiness.com

London’s City Hall, the home of the Mayor of London and the London Assembly, has announced that it is introducing a ten pence charge on all added-sugar soft drinks sold in its café.

The money raised by the sugary drinks levy will go to the Children’s Health Fund, launched by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and food charity Sustain last August to support schemes that improve children’s health.

City Hall is the first Government building in the UK to introduce such a scheme. By signing up, the City Hall café, operated by OCS, is joining 130 others around the UK, including all Jamie Oliver restaurants, Leon, Abokado and Tortilla who have already introduced a levy on added-sugar drinks.

Consuming too many foods and drinks high in sugar can lead to weight gain and related health problems, as well as tooth decay. According to Public Health England, the average five-year-old consumes the equivalent of their body weight in sugar every year. In addition, obesity is currently costing the NHS £5.1 billion per year and is projected to rise to £9.7 billion by 2050, with wider costs to society estimated to reach almost £50 billion per year.

Gloria Davies-Coates, Children’s Health Fund Manager, “We’re thrilled that City Hall have chosen to partner with us. The Children’s Health Fund has been set up to raise awareness of the impact that sugary drinks have on our children’s health and to make sure the money raised from the sugary drinks levy will make a difference to children across the UK. Getting the Mayor of London on board sends out a very strong message to other businesses and institutions to come on board and take action on sugar.”