Coca-Cola has announced it will be reducing the bottle size of Coca-Cola Classic in the UK from 1.75l to 1.5l, while also increasing the price by £0.20 from March this year.

The changes were made in response to the UK Government’s decision to raise sugar tax.

To be implemented from April this year, the tax will see soft drink makers paying £0.18 per litre for drinks that have between 5.0g and 7.9g of sugar per 100ml, and £0.24 per litre for drinks that exceed 8g of sugar per 100ml.

“The government anticipates that the new sugar tax will generate revenue of £520m per annum.”

Coca-Cola Classic currently contains 10.6g of sugar per 100ml.

Coca-Cola’s European partner spokesman was quoted by media sources as saying: “We have no plans to change the recipe of Coca-Cola Classic so it will be impacted by the government’s soft drinks tax.

“Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Coke, our no-sugar colas, are not impacted.”

The government anticipates that the new sugar tax will generate revenue of £520m per annum, which will be redirected towards funding sports activities in primary schools.

Last year, Coca-Cola introduced new versions of Sprite, Fanta and Dr Pepper containing 33% less sugar to avoid the additional levy on its drinks.