Getty Images Milkshakes, coffee drinks and milk substitutes are to be included in the government's sugar tax scheme for the first time in the UK in a renewed attempt to help tackle obesity. The sugar tax, known formally as the soft drinks industry levy (SDIL), is a tax on pre-packaged drinks such as those sold in cans and cartons in supermarkets. The Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting announced the extension of the tax in the House of Commons on Tuesday, ahead of the budget.
Obesity robs children of the best possible start in life, hits the poorest hardest, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems and costs the NHS billions.