The Milkshake Tax

 

The UK government has confirmed plans to extend the Soft Drinks Industry Levy—better known as the sugar tax—to include milkshakes, flavoured milks, and sweetened coffee drinks. Until now, these products were exempt because of their calcium content, but ministers say the exemption no longer makes sense. From 2028, any pre-packaged milk-based drink with more than 4.5g of sugar per 100ml will be taxed. Drinks like Yazoo, Frijj, and Starbucks bottled lattes are among those set to be affected. The levy aims to tackle childhood obesity, which costs the NHS billions each year, and encourage manufacturers to reduce sugar content—just as they did when the original tax launched in 2018. The government argues the move could cut millions of calories from the national diet and raise up to £100 million annually. Critics, however, call it a “stealth tax” that will push up prices during a cost-of-living crisis. Industry groups warn that reformulation will be expensive and question whether the measure will make a real difference to health outcomes. So, will this tax change behaviour—or just make milkshakes a luxury?

BBQ - Do you think taxes on sugary drinks are an effective way to improve public health? What other strategies could the government use to tackle obesity? What might be the reaction of a the businesses like Yazoo?

Milkshake Tax

Bag Black Friday Loo Roll

 

When most people think of Black Friday, they picture queues for TVs, laptops, and the latest gadgets. But this year, consumer experts say the best bargains might be hiding in the bathroom aisle. According to research by Which?, some of the biggest genuine discounts are on everyday essentials like quilted toilet roll and cleaning products. While flashy tech deals often turn out to be less impressive than advertised, household staples are seeing real price drops.  One quirky tip doing the rounds: buy loo roll and keep the receipt. Why? Some retailers are offering cashback or loyalty bonuses on bulk purchases, meaning you could save even more later. With prices for premium brands like Andrex and Cushelle slashed by up to 40%, stocking up now could be a smart move for families looking to cut costs. Experts warn that many Black Friday deals are marketing tricks—prices inflated before the sale to make discounts look bigger. But when it comes to essentials, the savings are genuine. So, while everyone else is chasing TVs, you might just win Black Friday by filling your cupboard with toilet paper.Shoppers often hold off buying items hoping they'll be cheaper down the line. It turned out that none of the 175 products tracked by Which? were at their cheapest price of the year on the day of Black Friday itself.

BBQ - Why do retailers use psychological tactics like ‘limited-time offers’ during sales events? Do these strategies benefit consumers or businesses more?

Black Friday

Nice To Each Other? Olivia Dean Teaches Ticketmaster a Lesson

 British singer Olivia Dean has scored a major victory for music fans after taking on ticketing giants Ticketmaster and AXS. The issue? Sky-high resale prices for her North American tour tickets—some were listed at 14 times their original face value. Dean called the practice “exploitative” and “vile,” arguing that live music should be affordable and accessible. After her public criticism, Ticketmaster announced it would cap future resale prices at face value for her tour and refund fans who paid inflated prices. This move comes as the UK government plans to make it illegal to resell tickets above their original cost—a change supported by major artists like Coldplay and Dua Lipa. Dean’s stand highlights growing pressure on the live music industry to tackle ticket scalping and ensure fairness for fans.Her success has sparked debate: if a rising star can push for change, why haven’t bigger names done the same?

Olivia Dean argued that live music should be accessible for all. Do you think businesses have a responsibility to make entertainment affordable, or should market forces decide prices?

Olivia Dean