Fast food establshments could be affected by a new £1000 ‘fat tax’ which is being considered by local councils to combat the rising levels of child obesity. The scheme will be launched in a place here child obesity is far higher than average in the UK, Oldham. The tax will be charged to any new business that plan to sell takeaway food.
The money raised from the scheme will be used to raise money to fight against child obesity. The programmes will be implemented to help children learn to eat heathily. A quarter of the children in Oldham are obese. Leaders of Business, including the Federation of Small Businesses, think that this will force small businesses across the country from Sunderland Chinese to delivery Indian Bristol to close and the funding against obesity should be provided by the council.
Some residents of Oldham are worried that takeways will hike up their prices as a result of the tax, meaning healthy people who enjoy takeaways as a treat will be forced to pay more. A survey carried out in Oldham showed that the level of obese children had trebled in the last ten years. If the plans are green lit by the government, then they could be introduced by 2012.
The ‘Fat Tax’ won’t have a great impact on larger outlets but could hit small businesses quite hard. Some have considered the tax harsh on takeaway establishments. With a number of delivery Chinese Bristol getting rave reviews for their health cuisines. While a number of online companies such as just-eat.co.uk proving to provide a number healthier alternatives. Time will only tell how the scheme will cope, is the ‘Fat Tax’ the best way forward?
