RISHI Sunak has delayed plans to ban buy-one-get-one-free deals on junk food by two years, saying it wouldn’t be “fair” to restrict consumer choice during the cost of living crisis.
Under the UK Government’s plans shops would not be permitted to sell food high in fat, sugar or salt using multibuy offers.
The policy – which is part of the government’s anti-obesity strategy – was already pushed back by Boris Johnson last year until October 2023.
Now, it will be delayed until at least October 2025 while a review takes place into the impact the policy would have on shoppers and retailers.
Sunak said: “I firmly believe in people's right to choose - and at a time when household budgets are under continuing pressure from the global rise in food prices, it is not fair for government to restrict the options available to consumers on their weekly shop.
"It is right that we consider carefully the impact on consumers and businesses, while ensuring we're striking the balance with our important mission to reduce obesity and help people live healthier lives."
The delay is likely to disappoint campaigners such as the celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who have long called for action on tackling obesity.
Last year, Oliver accused the UK Government of using families’ suffering during the cost of living crisis as an “excuse” not to act on the obesity crisis.
Foods set to be banned from being included in buy-one-get-one-free deals include crisps, sweets and ready meals.
However, some Conservative MPs have criticised the policy, with the MP Philip Davies calling it “utterly bonkers” and an example of the “nanny state”.
But TV doctor Chris van Tulleken said that the reality of food choice in the UK means we already live in a nanny state - one which is failing to act on obesity.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Dr van Tulleken said: “It speaks to the hold that the food industry has over this Government. The idea that this very light-touch regulation would restrict choice is ludicrous.
“The Government is terrified of being a nanny state. We live in a nanny state. The nannying is done by a very small number of transnational food corporations that extraordinarily restrict people’s choices.
“We know that for many people, to eat a healthy diet… It’s simply unaffordable.”
Dr van Tulleken has warned Britain is living in a childhood obesity “emergency” with children not only overweight but malnourished.
“British children are not just some of the heaviest in the world, they’re also stunted. Obesity goes hand in hand with malnutrition,” he told the show.
“Successive governments have really done absolutely nothing to interrupt its process.”
A study published last month found that obese patients cost the NHS twice as much as those who maintain a healthy weight.
