Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what evidence was (a) received and (b) commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence prior to its recommendation to recommend the commissioning of branded weight loss programmes by NHS agencies.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published public health guidance on lifestyle weight management services in May 2014 which recommends the use of weight management programmes where certain criteria apply.

Evidence considered by NICE is published alongside its guidance. Further information can be found at:

www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/PH53