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A new report from Cancer Research UK and the UK Health Forum published today has revealed that a 20% tax on sugary drinks could reduce obesity rates in the UK by 5% by 2025, which is equal to 3.7 million fewer obese people.

The study, entitled ‘Short and sweet: why the Government should introduce a sugary drinks tax’, also predicts that the tax could save the NHS about £10 million in healthcare and social care costs in 2025 alone.

Alison Cox, Cancer Research UK’s director of cancer prevention, said: “There are a lot of things working against us when it comes to making healthier choices.

“We’re all bombarded by junk food advertising of cheap foods packed with extra calories and it can be tough for parents do what’s best for their children.

“The Government has a chance to help reduce the amount of sugar consumed by adults and children and to give future generations the best chance of a healthier life.”

To help reduce the impact obesity has on society, Cancer Research UK is calling on the Government to act now and put a tax on sugary drinks, ban junk food adverts on TV before the 9pm watershed, and introduce targets for reducing the amount of fat and sugar in food as part of a comprehensive strategy.

Jane Landon, UK Health Forum’s deputy chief executive, said: “Countries which have introduced a tax on sugary drinks have not only reduced consumption, they have raised much-needed revenues for public health measures.

“These figures indicate that even a modest tax at 20 per cent – as part of a society-wide response - could help to deliver the scale and pace of change needed to turn around the UK’s crisis of obesity-related ill-health.”

The report notes that 3.7 million is equivalent to the combined populations of Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Bristol and Leicester.