Obesity Strategy U-Turn: Together Active’s Response

On 12th May 2022, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a delay to the proposed restrictions to promotional offers on junk food and tv and online advertising. 

Jude Taylor, CEO of Together Active, said:

“Together Active is deeply concerned the Governments decision to delay its volume promotions policy (due to be implemented in Oct 2022) and TV and online advertising restrictions.

“While we understand the Government’s reasoning that the cost of living crisis means people may need these offers, we firmly believe that the long-term damage done to the nation’s health by poor quality, cheap food will have a far greater impact on the economy and our collective health in the long term.

“Childhood obesity is at an all-time high, with 25% of Stoke-on-Trent children living with obesity by Year 6. Research shows restricting junk food adverts on TV alone would significantly reduce the number of children with excess weight. We are working with partners across Staffordshire to tackle the root causes of obesity and to support young people to move more, but we need legislative support now.

“We urge the government to reconsider in order to protect the health and wellbeing of our children.”

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