In its third and final report of their food and weight management inquiry, the Health Committee said it had ‘no faith' the Government will achieve its aim – stated in the 2025 10 Year Health Plan – to ‘launch a moonshot to end the obesity epidemic'.
Health and Social Care Committee chair Layla Moran said the Government must stand up to the food industry by ‘regulating the constant presence of adverts and promotions for unhealthy food and drink that wallpaper our lives, simpler labelling on products, targets for supermarkets to sell more healthy foods and restricting fast food outside schools'.
The cross-party committee called on the Government to clearly define what it means by ‘ending the obesity epidemic' and set a target and milestones towards reducing rates across the country.
In addition, it demanded a cross-departmental action plan focused equally on both prevention, including through regulatory changes to the food environment, and on treatment with lifelong support for those living with obesity, with options including behavioural support, weight-loss medication and surgery.
The report recommended the Prime Minister oversaw this work by chairing a new cabinet committee.
In 2024, 30% of adults in England were living with obesity, a further 36% were overweight, according to NHS England. In addition, 28% of children aged 13 to 15 were overweight or obese.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘Obesity is one of the biggest challenges facing our health service, and this Government is taking bold action to help drive the shift from sickness to prevention and give every child the best start in life.
‘We have already restricted junk food advertising on television before 9pm and online, banned volume-price promotions on less healthy food and drink products, and given councils stronger powers to block new hot food takeaways near schools. Alongside our focus on prevention, we are supporting those already living with obesity by expanding access to weight management support, including NHS weight loss drugs for those with the greatest clinical need.
‘We will carefully consider the committee's recommendations and respond in due course.'
