Sugar tax funding distributed to schools will go towards facilities to support physical education and after-school sports clubs, according to the education secretary.

Justine Greening revealed that the £415m (US$515.9m, €486.6m) generated from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy will encourage pupils to have “healthier, more active lifestyles”.

Money from the fund will also go towards other after-school activities and healthy eating programmes.

Local authorities and multi-academy trusts will receive an allocation of money for schools and will be charged with making decisions locally on how the money is invested.

Schools will benefit from the money from the 2018/19 academic year.

“Schools can really help our children get a healthy start in life from exercise and sport, and also from knowing what a healthy diet means,” said Greening.

“It’s not only good for them while they’re in education, but the health and wellbeing benefits can last a lifetime.”

The Soft Drinks Industry Levy was expected to raise £520m (US$646.5m, €610m) when it was first announced by former chancellor George Osborne last year.

However, the government has committed to spending the £415m even if the levy doesn’t reach that target.