(Vale of
Glamorgan) (Con)
What assessment he has made of the potential effectiveness of the
proposal to ban the advertisement of products high in fat, sugar
and salt online and on television. [908265]
The Minister for Media and Data (
)
The Government published an impact assessment alongside the 2019
consultation on HFSS advertising that considered both the health
benefits and the costs. We will publish the Government’s response
to that consultation by the end of this year, and hold a short
consultation as soon as possible on a total ban for advertising
online.
No one would question the Government’s wish to reduce childhood
obesity, but influencing this is a hugely complicated task that
the Government should take time over. The proposal to restrict
advertising products that are high in fat, salt and sugar brings
the risk of displacement. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that
any ban will not come into force until all factors have been
properly considered, and that any strategy regime will hold
online platforms to the same restrictions as broadcasters, along
with similar sanctions?
Mr Whittingdale
My right hon. Friend himself is an advertisement for the benefits
of healthy living, and he is absolutely right to draw attention
to the risk that, by imposing measures in one area, one may
simply displace advertising into another. That is why the
Government have been absolutely plain that restrictions on
post-watershed advertising on broadcasting will come into effect
at the same time as a ban on HFSS advertising online.
