Rishi Sunak delays junk food offer ban until after next election, citing cost of living
Rishi Sunak has said he will push back plans to ban multi-buy junk food deals in supermarkets by two years – meaning the policy will not kick in until after the next General Election.
Snacks and processed food that are high in salt, sugar, and fat would not be able to be sold in supermarket “buy one get one free” deals under the plan, which was first announced in 2020 but has been repeatedly pushed back.
Confirming a fresh two-year delay, the prime minister said that it would be wrong to limit options as food prices are high.
Mr 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 the 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 policy had been set to come in from October this year, but will now not do so until October 2025 – a year after the likely date of the next General Election.
The plans were first tabled under Boris Johnson in 2020, though he delayed implementation last year citing an “unprecedented global economic situation.”
A Government document released last year showed that two-for-one and similar deals had a marked interest in influencing food choices, with children particularly affected.
Sweets, crisps, and ready meals were all listed in the guidance.
Supermarkets and large outlets would be banned from offering cheap deals, while restaurants would not be able to offer free top-ups on high-sugar drinks.
The latest delay comes as a blow to health campaigners who have criticised the government for being too slow to tackle childhood obesity.
“Scrapping the already delayed multi-buy price promotions policy, which is part of the Government’s own evidence-based childhood obesity strategy, would be unforgivable – especially given two-thirds of adults are living with overweight or obesity and putting real pressure on the NHS”, said Professor Graham MacGregor, Chair of Action on Sugar and Acton on Salts.
He added that the government’s data shows that deals on cheap food do not help with household costs and encourage people to spend 20 per cent more than intended.
He said: “Why would the Government not want to address this and make it easier for families to buy healthier food instead?
“Otherwise it will exacerbate the already widening health inequalities by making healthier nutritious food less accessible to those who need it most.”
Katharine Jenner of Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) said: “Multi-buy price promotions do not save people money. Instead, they encourage people to impulsively buy more unhealthy food, rather than make savings from food already on their shopping list.”
She added that failure to act will see “excess weight will continue to drive unacceptable inequalities in health outcomes whilst costing the NHS a staggering £6.5 billion annually on diet-related ill-health – piling pressure on the NHS and driving down economic productivity.”
But hardline Conservatives had bashed the plans in commons, as Shipley MP Philip Davies said it was part of a “nanny state”.
Earlier this month, Health Secretary Steve Barclay announced a pilot scheme to expand access to weight-loss jabs to tackle obesity and related health issues such as type 2 diabetes and cancer.
