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sugar tax will be applied on Packaged Milkshakes and Lattes For the first time, Wes Streeting has announced.
Health Secretary tells House of Commons ministers are removing exemption on milk-based drinks “Because children become unwell” is why ministers do not look away.
The tax limit will also be reduced to 4.5 grams per 100 ml from the current 5 grams per 100 ml.
This move came before Wednesday Budgetin which Rachel Reeves is expected Announce an increase in taxes to bridge the gap in public finances.
Speaking on Health Questions on Tuesday, the Health Secretary said: “Obesity robs children of the best start to life, affects the poorest the hardest, sets them up for lifelong health problems and costs the NHS billions.
“So, I can announce to the House, we are extending the soft drinks industry levy to include bottles and cartons of milkshakes, flavored milk and milk alternative drinks.
“We are also reducing the sugar limit to 4.5 grams per 100 ml. This government will not ignore this because children are becoming unhealthy and our political rivals are urging us to leave them behind.”
The move will affect packaged milkshakes and coffee, but not drinks made in cafes or restaurants.
The sugar tax – also known as the soft drinks industry levy – is a tax on pre-packaged drinks sold in cans or cartons.
It was introduced by the Conservative government in 2018 to help reduce obesity, including in children.
Earlier on Tuesday a minister described obesity as “the biggest challenge to our health service for our generation”.
Asked whether tackling obesity was more important than increasing revenue, Carin Smith told Times Radio that “the broader point is about tackling obesity, which we know is one of the biggest causes of ill health, and therefore healthcare demand”.
He said: “We have already announced measures as part of the manifesto to reduce junk food advertising, particularly to prevent young people from becoming obese, because if you become obese at a young age, it limits your life chances…
“Obesity is the leading challenge facing our healthcare system for this generation, and it is vital that we ensure we create the healthiest young generation of children coming forward.”
Responding to Mr Streeting’s announcement, Katherine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said: “Removing the exemption for sugary milkshakes and bringing high-sugar soft drinks into the levy is a sensible and long-overdue step to protect children’s health – especially their teeth.
“The soft drink industry levy has already diverted billions of spoons Sugar From the nation’s diet without harming industry growth, it proves that clear, consistent rules are effective.
“We now urge the Government to push further to implement the rest of its NHS 10-year plan for health – helping to rebuild a food environment that supports rather than undermines children’s health.”
Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of the King’s Fund, said: “It is well known that when governments set out clear statutory rules, the industry responds quickly.
“Rather than restricting freedom for individuals, smart rules like the milkshake tax expand it, enabling people to live more of their lives in good health.”