Rules banning multibuy deals on foods and drinks high
in fat, salt, or sugar (HFSS) - including buy one get one free
(BOGOF), ‘3 for 2’, and restrictions on free refills for soft
drinks - will be delayed for a year.
Restrictions on the placement of less healthy products – a key
part of the government’s commitment to reduce obesity - will
still come into force in October 2022 as planned. These will mean
less healthy products are no longer promoted in key locations,
such as checkouts, store entrances, aisle ends and their online
equivalents.
Economies across the world have been affected by higher than
expected global energy and goods prices, leading to increased
costs across supply chains which are affecting both businesses
and consumers.
The delay to restrictions on multibuy deals will allow the
government to review and monitor the impact of the restrictions
on the cost of living in light of an unprecedented global
economic situation.
The restrictions banning HFSS adverts on TV before 9pm and
paid-for adverts online will also be paused for a year, meaning
they come into force January 2024. This is due to a delay to
the Health and Care Bill receiving Royal assent, as well as a
growing recognition that the industry needs more time to prepare.
A consultation on TV and paid-for-adverts online will be launched
in the coming weeks.
Public Health Minister said:
“We’re committed to doing everything we can to help people live
healthier lives. Pausing restrictions on deals like buy one get
one free will allow us to understand its impact on consumers in
light of an unprecedented global economic situation.”
Media, Data and Digital Minister said:
"We are determined to tackle childhood obesity and are working
hard to improve young people's health, including by investing
£550 million of government and lottery cash to level up access to
sport and physical activity right across the country
"We have listened to the concerns which have been raised and will
not be bringing in restrictions on junk food advertising until
confident that the time is right."
Shoppers will now be able to continue taking advantage of
multibuy offers on all foods, including healthier foods which
were not included in the original restrictions.
Addressing obesity remains a priority for government, and will
reduce the strain put on the NHS as it works to tackle the covid
backlogs.
Last month saw laws on calorie labelling in large restaurants,
cafes and takeaways come into force.
The government will also be launching the Better Health: Rewards
scheme in Wolverhampton later this year to test whether financial
incentives can support adults to move more and eat better.
The government will publish a Health Disparities White Paper
later this year, aiming to break the link between factors such as
people’s social or economic circumstances and their prospect for
a healthy life. This will mean looking at the biggest
preventable killers, including obesity.
The government has taken action to support families worth over
£22 billion in 2022-23 to help with rising costs. National
Insurance starting thresholds will rise to £12,570 from July
2022, meaning people across the UK will keep more of what they
earn before they start paying tax.
Households liable for Council Tax in Bands A-D in England will
receive a £150 non-repayable Council Tax Rebate, and Local
Authorities are receiving extra discretionary funding to help
those who are in need but not eligible.
A new statutory instrument will be introduced to parliament to
confirm that the restriction of volume price promotions will be
delayed.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
-
New calorie labelling
rules come into force to improve nation’s health - GOV.UK
(www.gov.uk)
Restricting promotions of
products high in fat, sugar or salt by location and by volume
price: implementation guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
