Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
18 March 2016 09:16
The Chancellor has proposed a new Sugar Tax
Health campaigners and charities have given the thumbs-up to George Osborne's so-called "Sugar Tax".
The Chancellor announced a levy on extra-sugary drinks in Wednesday's Budget (March 16).
High sugar consumption can increase the chances of people developing heart disease, diabetes and bad teeth.
And Mr Osborne reckons that the UK economy loses £27 billion every year due to obesity.
Holiday peace of mind
People suffering from heart conditions can be left to relax and concentrate on having a great holiday by taking out heart-related travel insurance.
This covers travellers with heart-related conditions from irregular heartbeats to cardiomyopathy.
As well as covering unexpected medical complications when tourists are abroad, it can also cover flight cancellations, trip delays, stolen luggage and lost travel documents.
What the new tax means
The new levy is due to be introduced in April 2018. The measure is likely to bring in £520 million to the Treasury.
The cash will be diverted towards doubling sports funding among primary schools. Secondary schools will be urged to provide extra sports lessons in an extended school day.
The higher rate of tax will apply to drinks containing over 8g of sugar for every 100ml of drink. A lower tax will apply to those containing 5g per 100ml.
It is estimated that consumers could have to pay anything from between 18p and 24p more for their fizzy beverages, although the rates have yet to be finalised.
The Government hopes that the tax will encourage drinks firms to lower the proportion of sugar and sweeteners in their drinks.
What the experts say
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver called the action "profound" on social media. He says he never expected the idea to be made law.
NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens described the tax as a "welcome" and "bold" move.
Children's Food Campaign co-ordinator Malcolm Clark says the levy is a key triumph for the health of children.
Soft drinks manufacturers' shares dipped after the announcement.
17 October 2018
Family doctors are being urged to prescribe physical activity for patients living with some of the most common medical conditions.
[more...]
16 October 2018
Patients with brain tumours lose out on almost £15,000 per year, a new report has revealed.
13 October 2018
Chris Grayling has given his "categorial assurance" to Parliament that a no-deal Brexit will not ground flights in and out of the UK, despite recent warnings from experts that this remains a possibility.
12 October 2018
The rising cost of fuel could force more airlines out of business, the boss of easyJet has warned.
11 October 2018
The image of the boozy backpacker might be a thing of the past as a new study suggests more and more youngsters are shunning alcohol completely.
10 October 2018
The NHS says just one in 10 drinks sold in English hospitals will be sugar-sweetened, as part of its bid to curb rising obesity levels.
09 October 2018
More than 260,000 diabetes patients were put at risk of lasting harm or even death during hospital stays last year due to medication errors, a new report has revealed.
06 October 2018
NHS patients with a specific type of lymphoma will soon be able to access a "game-changing" new treatment, health officials have revealed.
05 October 2018
People living with diabetes are being warned they might be "unwittingly" storing their insulin incorrectly.
04 October 2018
The world's first commercial jet part-powered by a new form of biofuel touches down in London on Wednesday (3rd October).
03 October 2018
New 'hotel-style' carriages that were due to be rolled out for the Caledonian Sleeper have been delayed until next year.
02 October 2018
Budapest has been revealed as the cheapest destination for UK holidaymakers looking for a cultural break, according to a new report.