To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how his Department plans to work with the Scottish Government on protecting children from junk food marketing. (9910)
Tabled on: 11 September 2017
This question was grouped with the following question(s) for answer:
- To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on developing advertising powers to enable that government to protect children from junk food marketing. (9911) Tabled on: 11 September 2017
- To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department plans to take to allow the Scottish Government to restrict junk food advertising to children. (9912) Tabled on: 11 September 2017
Answer: Steve Brine:
Departmental officials will continue to work with colleagues in the devolved administrations, sharing our thinking and progress to ensure children across the United Kingdom can have the best start in life.
Current advertising restrictions in the UK on high fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) products are among the toughest in the world. Strict new rules came into effect on 1 July banning the advertising of HFSS food or drink products in children’s media. These restrictions apply across all non-broadcast media including in print, cinema, online and in social media.
In August we announced £5 million investment in a policy research unit on childhood obesity to provide a robust evidence, evaluation and research capability including looking at the impact of marketing on childhood obesity. The unit’s findings will be fed into future meetings with colleagues across the UK.
The answer was submitted on 18 Sep 2017 at 15:47.
Ronnie Cowan MP 