MPs criticise government for 'missed opportunities' in child obesity strategy

Members of the health select committee were particularly critical of last August's childhood obesity plan, which they say was marred by "vague statements" and left health campaigners "underwhelmed".

While the plan's introduction of a levy on manufacturers of sugary drinks was welcomed, MPs said this has been hindered by a failure to monitor whether the tax is being passed on to consumers through price rises.

The government's decision not to regulate aggressive price promotion and discounting of unhealthy food was also criticised. Without it there is not a "level playing field" for those retailers willing to stop the practice, MPs said.

The committee also wants government to take action to restrict advertising of high fat, salt and sugary food and drinks, particularly on television before the 9pm watershed - something that did not feature in the childhood obesity plan.  

The committee is also concerned that there is no "plan B" if a voluntary government programme aimed at reducing the use of unhealthy ingredients in the food industry fails.

MPs are urging the government to set out firm proposals on what to do if the voluntary programme does not go as "far or as fast as necessary" to tackle childhood obesity.

The chair of the committee, Conservative MP Dr Sarah Wollaston, said: "We are extremely disappointed that the government has rejected a number of our recommendations.

"These omissions mean that the current plan misses important opportunities to tackle childhood obesity.

"Vague statements about seeing how the current plan turns out are inadequate to the seriousness and urgency of this major public health challenge."

"The government must set clear goals for reducing overall levels of childhood obesity as well as goals for reducing the unacceptable and widening levels of inequality."

However, the committee did welcome the government's pledge contained in the childhood obesity to ensure that the proceeds of the soft drinks levy are invested in measures to improve children's health.

This includes investment in school sports and an extra £10m for school healthy breakfast clubs. The committee said it intends to carry out further research into how income from the levy is distributed to see how it can help reduce inequalities arising from obesity.

Health campaigners have backed the MPs stance. Professor Russell Viner, officer for health promotion at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "The fight against obesity is going to be long and hard - and the health [select] committee is right; without action across a number of areas, any impact of individual policies will be minimal."