Milkshakes and coffees targeted in Government’s sugar tax crackdown | Politics | News
A crackdown on sugary drinks will see the sugar tax extended to include packaged milkshakes and coffees, the Government has announced. Wes Streeting told the Commons on Tuesday the Government will end the exemption for milk-based beverages from the existing sugar levy.
It is hoped the move could slash 17 million calories from the nation’s daily intake, preventing conditions including cancer, heart disease and stroke. Mr Streeting said: “An unhealthy start to life holds kids back from day one, especially those from poor backgrounds like mine.
“The levy has already shown that when industry cuts sugar levels, children’s health improves. So, we’re going further.”
First introduced by the Conservative government in 2018, the sugar tax is currently charged at 18p per litre on drinks containing at least 5g of total sugar per 100ml, and 24p per litre on drinks with 8g of sugar or more.
The Government is also bringing down the lower threshold from 5g to 4.5g per 100ml. Changes will apply from January 2028, giving manufacturers time to reformulate their products.
The existing levy has led to a 46% average reduction in sugar between 2015 and 2020 for those soft drinks that were to be brought under the rules.
England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, said the tax had already helped to slow the increase in childhood obesity and bring down hospital admissions for tooth extractions among young children.
He added: “Creating an environment where children are encouraged to have drinks which contribute to increased levels of obesity can harm their health for the rest of their lives.
“Extending the sugar levy is likely to have further benefit for child health.”
Eddie Crouch, chair at British Dental Association, said: “The success of this policy won’t be about filling the black hole in the public finances; it will be whether industry will reformulate.
“Tooth decay is the number one reason for hospital admissions among young children. This is precisely the time for government to go further and faster with tried and tested policies.”
