The report from the “National Food Strategy” was a further waste of taxpayers’ money with its set of recommendations on the British food industry.

Its conclusions included a sugar tax and a salt tax – with an estimated tax grab of £1.3 Billion.

Whilst we may not disagree that too much sugar and too much salt may be harmful on occasions – we definitely object to a tax – that according to the report should be then used to subsidise “healthy food” for poorer families. i.e., those who work hard end up, once again paying more.

The author continues with additional “socialist rhetoric” – of let’s increase the threshold for free school meals – from £7,000 to £20,000 and a mass handout of free vitamins, vegetables and fruit vouchers. And who is to “police” that these vouchers are used by the recipients in the correct manner and are not discounted for cash to unscrupulous traders.

One of the core philosophies of populism – is that governments should incentivize its citizens to make decisions – for instance, if diesel engine cars should be reduced – then incentives should be promoted to achieve that wish – i.e., no car tax payable on non-diesel cars.  This way, the citizen has a financial motivation to make that decision – BUT – that decision is theirs alone to make.

Therefore, this report on “food strategy” fails at the first hurdle – with a list of demands but without economic analysis – enforced by penalties (which as always are the “Red” default positions to achieve their “utopia”)

We trust George Eustice the environment secretary throws this report into the rubbish bin – where it belongs.