Are milkshakes being lined up for a fats tax to assist sort out weight problems and save the NHS?
Labour could tax milkshakes to help tackle obesity and save the NHS, it was revealed yesterday.
Ministers are eyeing a levy on milk-based drinks to treat them the same as soft drinks which are subject to a sugar tax.
But the Tories said it was a further blow to farmers after the Budget made some liable for inheritance tax.
The Budget book states: ‘To help tackle obesity and other harms caused by high sugar intake, the government will ensure that the Soft Drinks Industry Levy increases to maintain incentives for soft drinks manufacturers to reduce their sugar content.
‘The government will also review the current sugar thresholds and the exemption for milk-based drinks.’
Ministers are eyeing a levy on milk-based drinks to treat them the same as soft drinks which are subject to a sugar tax
Sir Keir Starmer has suggested that further nanny state interventions are on the table and has repeatedly spoken out about the damage that sugar poses to children’s teeth
A Soft Drinks Industry Levy – known as the Sugar Tax – was announced in 2016 and introduced in 2018 to ‘tackle childhood obesity’
The Budget states: ‘The government will also review the current sugar thresholds and the exemption for milk-based drinks’
Sir Keir Starmer has suggested that further nanny state interventions are on the table and has repeatedly spoken out about the damage that sugar poses to children’s teeth.
A Soft Drinks Industry Levy – known as the Sugar Tax – was announced in 2016 and introduced in 2018 to ‘tackle childhood obesity’.
However, the tax did not apply to milk-based drinks because they are a source of calcium and other nutrients.
After the sugar tax was announced, some soft drinks manufacturers threatened legal action as they found the tax to be anti-competitive and could breach EU rules.
Shadow environment secretary Steve Barclay said: ‘The Milk Tax, proposed by Labour and backed by the Liberal Democrats, will drive up the costs of everyday goods, and put the livelihoods of thousands of Britain’s dairy farmers at risk.
‘Labour need to can this latest charge, keep their hands off our milk, and get on the side of our farmers.’
