Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what provisions will be made in the NHS Reform Bill to ensure that the effect on businesses is considered in the restriction on advertising of foods high in fat, sugar and salt; and if he will make a statement.

‘Integration and innovation: working together to improve health and social care for all’, published on 11 February 2021, confirmed the Government’s intention to introduce further advertising restrictions to prohibit advertisements for products high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS) being shown on TV before 9pm. In November and December 2020, we consulted on how to go further and implement an online restriction for HFSS advertisements. Depending on the outcome of this consultation, it is our intention to take forward further online advertising restrictions simultaneously in this legislation.

We carefully consider all views and potential impacts of our measures to reduce obesity. This includes feedback from a wide range of experts and stakeholders on specific policy proposals and in response to our public consultations. The final impact assessments on the proposals to restrict the promotion of foods HFSS by location and by volume is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/restricting-promotions-of-food-and-drink-that-is-high-in-fat-sugar-and-salt

The developmental impact assessment on further advertising restrictions on TV and online was published alongside the 2019 consultation on this policy. This is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/786554/advertising-consultation-impact-assessment.pdf

An evidence note was published alongside the consultation on the proposal to introduce a total restriction of online advertising for HFSS products. This builds on the impact assessment that accompanied the 2019 consultation. This is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/total-restriction-of-online-advertising-for-products-high-in-fat-sugar-and-salt-hfss/evidence-note

We will publish the final impact assessment on further advertising restrictions on TV and online alongside the full response to the consultation shortly and this will feed into the wider impact assessment for the Health and Care Bill.