Obesity Strategy Delay is “Morally Reprehensible”

The recently announced delays in rolling out the government’s obesity strategy has been labelled as “morally reprehensible” by a former Conservative Party leader.

Lord Hague made the statement after news was released indicating the curbs on multi-buy deals in shops and on TV ads for junk food had been shelved for at least 12 months.

Current ministers have said it is providing time to assess the impact these new changes could have on the cost of living crisis, a move ridiculed by Hague.

Writing in the Times, he said: “Many Tories object to the ‘nanny state’ image of anti-obesity policies and think it is ‘un-Conservative’ to pursue them.

“As a former Tory leader, I emphatically disagree with this interpretation of conservatism.

“[The delay means] the current government’s anti-obesity drive will probably join the 14 strategies and 689 different policies over the past 30 years, according to a Cambridge University study, that have failed to deliver.

“They are acquiescing in a future of higher dependence, greater costs, reduced lifestyle choice and endless pain.

“For the government to give in to them is intellectually shallow, politically weak and morally reprehensible.”

The new obesity strategy would see buy one get one free deals for food and drink high in fat, salt or sugar banned, with plans to restrict TV ads about these products before 9pm.

However, stores will still be limited come October as to where they can display food that is high in sugar or fat.