Health Taxes

Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord McLoughlin

Wednesday 12th October 2022 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie (Con)]

That is a fair point from the noble Baroness. How long does she have? But if I may answer that very briefly, obviously, we are aware of the pressures that people are under, particularly those in the lower economic groups, so we felt it was right to effect a delay for a year.

[Lord McLoughlin (Con)]

My Lords, is it not a fact that the Government can send messages out to food manufacturers? They warn us of the dire consequences of increasing prices but, if they are told that there is going to be a tax, they often find ways of avoiding it and lowering the calorific content of some of these foods.

[Viscount Younger of Leckie (Con)]

That is right. It is why the Government continue to work with industry to help deliver healthier foods and to encourage healthier eating. We want to ensure that we have a system in place to deliver healthy and affordable food for all, which also takes account of our great agricultural sector.