The Local Government Association’s health lead has welcomed the Labour government’s confirmation that it will stick to Conservative plans to ban junk food ads on TV before the 9pm watershed, as well as ads near schools.
The Conservatives had previously committed to the ban in 2021 when Boris Johnson was prime minister, but it was pushed back to give the industry more time to prepare. Labour has now confirmed that the ban will come into effect from October 2025.
Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “We are pleased the Government is to bring in legislation to restrict the advertising of unhealthy foods targeted at children and young people.
“Childhood obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges we face. However any efforts to tackle the causes of obesity need to be part of a whole systems approach.
“Greater powers for councils to tackle the clustering of takeaways and restricting junk food advertising near schools, alongside extra investment council-run programmes such as those promoting physical activity and healthy weight can help play an essential part in helping to curb child obesity.”
Fothergill’s support for the ban is shared by Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), which works to reduce childhood obesity. Speaking to the BBC recently, the RSPH’s called the ban a “welcome step” that will be “key to building a healthier future for the next generation”.
Simon Dixon, head of policy and public affairs at the RSPH told the BBC that childhood nutrition is “a long-term priority” that is “key to building a healthier future for the next generation”.
Under the proposals, there is a two-stage approach for defining a product that is considered “less healthy” for the purposes of the restrictions.
This was originally referred to as products “high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS),” however following a 2022 consultation, the government said it recognised the need for greater clarity on the scope of the restrictions.
It said further guidance will be provided to explain product categories, with clearer examples of which food and drink items fall within each category.
A number of items will be exempt from the new restrictions as they are already subject to separate regulations. This includes baby formula, processed cereal-based foods for infants, diet replacement products, medicinal drinks and approved meal replacement products.
Health minister Andrew Gwynne has also promised a separate, four-week targeted consultation to clarify how restrictions would apply to Internet Protocol Television (IPTV).
