The Face the Facts, Can the Tax campaign against the soft drinks tax has announced that a further six organisations have pledged their support.

The British Hospitality Association, Crown Packaging, the Food Service Packaging Association, the Processing & Packaging Machinery Association, Hospitality Ulster and Tereos have all joined alliances.

The campaign is a coalition of British businesses which have come together to highlight the damaging economic consequences of the tax and to urge the government to rethink the policy and focus instead on proven solutions that will address obesity.

The group recognises that tackling obesity is a major public health challenge in the UK. However, evidence shows that this tax will not have the desired impact and will instead result in job losses and higher prices at a time when we can least afford it. At this time of economic uncertainty, the coalition firmly believes that the government should be focused on meaningful measures to tackle obesity, while also supporting UK businesses and consumers.

Processing & Packaging Machinery Association chief executive says, "There is concern among our member companies, many of whom are SMEs. Our industry faces a difficult economic climate and uncertainty in the future. The soft drinks sugar tax impacts this further and could influence decisions to invest, which could ultimately be harmful to jobs.

"Tackling obesity is an important issue but targeting a small, selective part of the FMCG industry does not seem the most effective route forward."

Tereos chief executive adds, "Obesity is a real problem but taxation of the sugar content is not an adequate answer. Facts show that it doesnt work."