Opposition calls on Gov’t to allocate portion of money from tax on non-alcoholic sweetened beverages towards healthier alternatives

The Government is being called on to allocate some of the money it hopes to earn from the Special Consumption Tax on non-alcoholic sweetened beverages towards healthier alternatives.

Opposition spokesman on Finance Julian Robinson made the suggestion while giving a preliminary reaction to statements by his Government counterpart, Fayval Williams, during her presentation of new revenue measures in Parliament yesterday.

Mr. Robinson acknowledged the public health concerns but argued that price increases alone may not change people’s behaviour.

He recommended that part of the projected $10 billion revenue be reinvested in local agriculture to support healthier, natural juice alternatives.

As it relates to the Environmental Protection Levy, Mr. Robinson called for funds from the levy to be directed towards strengthening Jamaica’s climate resilience.

In response to the rationale for new taxes, the spokesman noted that even before Hurricanes Beryl and Melissa, the Government had relied on one-off asset sales to finance successive budgets.

This includes future revenues from the Norman Manley and Sangster International Airports.

A more detailed response will be given during the budget debate next month.