WIREDGOV

The Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing spokeswoman, Cllr Izzi Seccombe, responds to the announcement by the Chancellor that a levy will be introduced on soft drinks.

"Councils have long called for measures to be introduced to tackle sugar content in soft drinks, which is one of many ways we can take to tackle child obesity.

"As well as being a key driver behind obesity, sugar is also a major cause of tooth decay, with a recent survey finding that 12 per cent of three-year-olds in England suffered from poor dental hygiene.

"It's time for the soft drinks industry to step up and take its share of responsibility for the child obesity crisis we face."