Osborne's sugar tax leaves a bitter taste: Crackdown on soft drinks to fight childhood obesity is branded a 'fat tax' with 'no evidence of success'

Economic experts have criticised plans to introduce a tax on sugary drinks, which could add 8p to a can of Coke. While campaigners including Jamie Oliver were celebrating the Chancellor's surprise
announcement, economists said there was 'no evidence from anywhere in the world' that it would have the 'slightest effect on obesity'. Consumers could be hit with an extra 24p on a litre of the most sugary drinks, which include Red Bull, Coke, Ginger beer, while even tonic water faces being hit by the new tax. Today's announcement saw the share prices of the major drinks companies fall within seconds of the announcement.