The Prime Minister has rejected calls from health experts for a tax on sugary food and drinks, despite a major report saying it could help tackle the UK's obesity crisis.
Downing Street said David Cameron had not read the Public Health England study suggesting a 10-20% tax, but added that he does not "see the need" for taxation on sugar.
David Cameron has rejected calls for new taxation on sugary food and drinks but has not yet read a major report making the case for its introduction, Number 10 says.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: "The Prime Minister's view remains that he doesn't see a need for a tax on sugar."
The study was originally pushed back by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who had planned to release it with a Government strategy on obesity later in the year.
The numbers behind child health in England are frightening - no wonder the Prime Minister is being urged to act.
More than 70% of senior health professionals would support a tax on sugary foods and drinks, according to an ITV News poll.
A 20 per cent 'sugar tax' should be imposed on food and drink in a bid to help tackle the country's obesity and health crisis, a report says