Health experts urge ban on school materials backed by food, drink and gambling firms

Some of the materials teach young people how to pour glasses of wine and distort the evidence about alcohol’s role in causing cancer, the letter says. Photograph: Roger Askew/Alamy

Health experts have urged Bridget Phillipson to stop schools using educational materials funded by the food, drink and gambling industries, in order to protect children from “harmful” influences.

Dozens of doctors, health charities and public health specialists have written to the education secretary warning her that such firms are sponsoring resources used in lessons with pupils, despite them misrepresenting the evidence about diets, alcohol and betting.