Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of making it mandatory for restaurants to display their food hygiene ratings in England and Wales.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is operated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in partnership with local authorities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Food businesses covered by the scheme are provided with stickers showing their rating. Those in Wales and Northern Ireland are already required by law to display the stickers at their premises, while those in England are encouraged to do so.

The FSA considers that mandatory display should extend to England and is currently finalising an evidence-based case for a statutory scheme. The case for extending mandatory display to England is being finalised by the FSA for ministerial consideration and ultimately cross Government approval.