Mel Wakeman - Senior Lecturer in Applied Physiology at Birmingham City University – backs a campaign by Action on Sugar to introduce a ‘sugar tax’ to help tackle the problem of childhood obesity in the UK.

Action on Sugar also wants limits on the availability of ultra-processed foods and sweetened soft drinks, as well as a ban on "junk food sports sponsorships". The measures are part of a seven-point plan it has developed following a request for its views from Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

"A sugar tax could help as part of a wider approach to tackle sugar consumption in the UK.  Excess sugar is linked to rising levels of obesity and type 2 diabetes in children and adults yet food companies continue to invest heavily in marketing and promoting processed foods. By taxing sugary foods, promoting healthy foods and tackling the marketing of junk foods, we might start to move in the right direction.” – Mel Wakeman,

FORTUNATLEY, FISH AND CHIPS ARE VERY LOW IN SUGAR!