Sugar tax to cost shop jobs says soft drinks industry report

THE Westminster government’s proposed manufacturer’s levy on soft drinks above certain sugar levels is likely to cost jobs in several parts of industry including hundreds of jobs in small retailers across Britain, says an economic forecast prepared for the British Soft Drinks Association.

The report The Economic Impact of the Soft Drinks Levy by Oxford Economics suggests some users will change to juice or milk which could mean the overall effect would be a reduction of only five calories per person per day.

But the charge is expected to mean 4,000 job losses across the UK predominantly in hospitality and smaller retailers, the report says.