Jeremy Hunt accused of doing ‘absolutely nothing' to tackle child obesity

Appearing before the health select committee today, Professor Graham MacGregor, chairman of lobby group Action on Sugar, said Hunt asked the organisation for a plan to prevent childhood obesity more than 18 months ago.

“We gave him a very brief but well-evidenced document with seven actions on how to prevent childhood obesity but since then he has done absolutely nothing,” MacGregor said.

“In spite of going back to the Department of Health 10 times we are always fobbed off by officials saying they are waiting for more information.

“In spite of having that plan and saying it [childhood obesity] is a big problem and he wants to work on it, he has done nothing.”

Hunt has previously emphasised his desire to tackle child obesity, stating that it is a “great scandal” that one in five children leave primary school clinically obese.

“It is something that we cannot say that we accept,” he said in his first speech after being reappointed as Health Secretary following the general election.

The government has said it will publish a child obesity strategy this year.

During the evidence session, experts told MPs that a tax on sugary drinks could prevent 180,000 cases of obesity in the UK.

At the beginning of today’s session, chair of the health select committee, Sarah Wollaston, said she was concerned that a review undertaken by Public Health England into reducing sugar consumption is yet to be published.

“The committee is deeply disappointed that we haven’t seen publication of the detailed review conducted by Public Health England,” she said.

“We would consider that as obstructing this inquiry.”

She said that the chief executive of Public Health England, Duncan Selbie will appear before the committee next week to answer questions on the issue.