Boris Johnson vows to axe plans for hated milkshake tax if he makes it to No10

BORIS Johnson today vowed to axe Government plans for a "Milkshake Tax" – saying the fat-busting plan would “clobber” hard-up Brits.

Challenged about The Sun’s revelations on No10’s new proposals, the Tory frontrunner said there was no way he would back them as PM.

He told Tory activists in Exeter: “I am very, very reluctant to impose new taxes disproportionately on those on low incomes.

“A new tax on milkshakes seems to me to clobber those who can least afford it.”

Revealing that he had shed a stone in the last year, he added: “If we want kids to lose weight we should encourage kids to walk and cycle to school and generally do more exercise. It’s calories in, and calories out.

“I’m not sure that proposal will last long enough to get in the next administration.”

The comments were immediately backed by Treasury Secretary Liz Truss – Philip Hammond’s deputy. And ex-minister Rob Halfon launched a social media campaign to #stoptheMilkshaketax.

Boris’ rival Jeremy Hunt - who as Health Secretary backed a sugar tax on soft drinks - sidestepped the question of whether he would ditch the plan.

But he insisted that “threatening” manufacturers was the only way to force them to make their products healthier.

The Sun yesterday revealed Government plans to extend the sugar tax on soft drinks such as Coca-Cola onto “sugary milk drinks” if companies don’t cut the sugar content. The levy would be placed on manufacturers – but would almost certainly be passed on to consumers.

Sources blamed No10 policy officials for the idea.

Mr Hunt indicated he backed the plan - telling activists: “The quickest way to deal with this crisis is the people who manufacture milkshakes is to reduce the amount of sugar without changing the taste too much.

“You threaten them. My experience is that if you make that threat you don’t have to follow through on the dreaded milkshake tax.”

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver last year demanded Theresa May introduce a milkshake tax – telling MPs a Strawberry Yazoo contained nine teaspoons of sugar.

He called for prices to go up by 12p for every half-litre bottle – a near 10 per cent rise.

The new proposals were outlined in a paper drawn up by health ministers to consider ways to improve kids’ health and tackle air quality.

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