Thank you for contacting me about the Bite Back Better campaign.
It is fantastic to see the passion of the young people who are part of this campaign to promote healthier lifestyles and to reduce childhood obesity.
You can be assured that the Government is committed to implementing its promise to ban pre-9pm TV advertising of food high in sugar, salt and fat across the UK. Recognising that a growing number of young people consume media online, I am also delighted that the Government will also restrict paid-for-advertising online.
These restrictions are being included as part of the Health and Care Bill that is going through Parliament at the moment. I am confident that such measures will help us to reach the Prime Minister's goal of halving childhood obesity by 2030 and help adults to reach a healthy weight.
I am also pleased that the Government's Levelling Up White Paper has recognised the role of obesity in driving poor health outcomes in communities across the UK. As part of the White Paper, the Government has promised to take forward recommendations from Henry Dimbleby’s independent review towards a National Food Strategy including piloting Community Eatwell and a school cooking revolution. I am delighted that the Isle of Wight has been chosen as an ‘Education Investment Area’ by the Government. This is good news for our young people and the Island.
Thank you once again for taking the time to contact me.