WIREDGOV

Cllr Linda Thomas, Vice Chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to a report on childhood obesity published by the Health and Social Care Committee

“It is good to see that this report contains several recommendations – such as greater powers to tackle advertising near schools and stronger planning powers - which we have been long calling for and comes immediately after our analysis of severe obesity levels in primary schools.

“Doing nothing is not an option. Without action, and unless councils have more powers, the health of individuals will continue to suffer, health inequalities associated with obesity will remain, and the economic and social costs will increase to unsustainable levels.

“No single measure is likely to be effective on its own in tackling obesity, which is why wide-ranging reforms based on a joined-up approach is vital to preventing this ill health timebomb on society and tackling health inequalities.

“It is vital that the measures in the childhood obesity plan improve the health of young people, and can help parents make more informed choices about the eating habits and lifestyles of their children.

“We are extremely disappointed that the revenue being generated from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy has been diverted into core schools budgets. We reiterate the predecessor Committee’s argument that the proceeds of the soft drinks industry levy should be directed towards measures to improve children’s health, and specifically addressing health inequalities.

“We also continue to urge government to reverse the cuts to council’s public health grants, which are restricting prevention and early intervention services carried out by councils to combat child obesity.”

Notes to editors

1. The LGA’s press release showing that 22,000 children are severely obese when they leave primary school.
2. LGA publication, Making obesity everybody’s business: A whole systems approach to obesity.