Oral Answers to Questions

David Evennett Excerpts

Tuesday 29th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Matt Hancock]

The prevention Green Paper that we published in the summer specifically addresses what is needed. The effort that we put into supporting those who are hospitalised through their abuse of alcohol needs to be enhanced, and there is an enormous amount of effort under way to make that happen.

[Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

T8. Does the Minister agree that the latest data on the soft drinks industry levy is encouraging and a positive step in the campaign to improve health, particularly of young people?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Jo Churchill)]

Absolutely; I thank my right hon. Friend for putting it so eloquently. This just shows what can be achieved. We have seen great results from the soft drinks industry levy. The average sugar content of drinks subject to the levy decreased by 28.8% between 2015 and 2018, so we have been able to make significant investments in activity and healthy eating in schools.