Milkshakes may be subject to sugar tax to combat obesity

THE sugar tax could be extended to milkshakes under a new anti-obesity strategy being developed in Whitehall as part of Boris Johnson’s newfound zeal to encourage Britons to slim down.

The publication of the strategy was slated for next month but could be delayed to avoid conflicting with the Treasury’s attempts to get more people to eat out with state-subsidised meals.

One idea that has been resurrected is to apply the Soft Drinks Industry Levy to milkshakes.

It would add 24p per litre to drinks containing 8 grams of sugar per 100ml and 18p to those with between 5g-8g.

‘Boris doesn’t want to be fat and 57 and doesn’t want the country to be. Milkshakes were an anomaly in the tax’

One source said: “Boris does not want to be fat and 57 and does not want the country to be, and so therefore they are bringing forward the obesity strategy. Milkshakes were an anomaly in the sugar tax because they were classed as a pudding rather than a sugary drink.”

In an interview with Times Radio earlier this month, Mr Johnson said: “When you compare this wonderful country with other European countries we are significantly fatter, apart from the Maltese.”

Confirming he was looking at measures to cut obesity, he said: “We will be happier and fitter and more resistant to diseases like Covid.”

An extension of the sugar tax was advocated by Dame Sally Davies, the outgoing chief medical officer, in a report last October.

Meanwhile, The Times reported yesterday that Mr Johnson was likely to introduce a ban on supermarkets promoting unhealthy foods through buy one, get one free offers.