Embargoed 00:01 Monday 27 July
Responding to the new government obesity strategy, John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:
“This new strategy leaves slim pickings for struggling families who rely on affordable meals to put food on the table.
"Outright ad bans on ordinary foods and ending ‘buy one get one’ free will be a hammer-blow to hard-pressed shoppers, who don’t need Boris piling on the pounds to their weekly food bill.
“Misguided ministers must stop this nannying nonsense and think of better ways to help taxpayers keep healthy.”
On the end to in-store promotions on food which is high in fat, sugar or salt, John O’Connell said:
“These restrictions will blanket-ban supermarket bargains and make everyday foods unaffordable for many.
“Everything from tomato soup to butter, raisins and yoghurts could be hit by this careless catch-all definition, pushing up prices and devastating those on the breadline who bank on ‘buy one get one free’ for their weekly shop.
“This lazy legislating shows supermarket snobbery at its very worst.”
On the new responsibilities for Public Health England, John O’Connell said:
“Palming off yet more public health crusades to PHE could once again end in disaster.
“Before coronavirus, responding to pandemics was low on their list of priorities, and this strategy will create yet more projects to distract PHE pen-pushers from their actual role of preparing for outbreaks.
“If politicians want to protect the country from coronavirus, they should not be creating yet more counterproductive nanny state schemes.”
TPA spokesmen are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Media contact:
Harry Fone
Media Campaign Manager, TaxPayers' Alliance
[email protected]
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Notes to editors:
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Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) fights to reform taxes, reduce spending and protect taxpayers. Find out more about the TaxPayers' Alliance at www.taxpayersalliance.com.
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TaxPayers' Alliance's advisory council.
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TaxPayers’ Alliance research has shown the poorest households already pay almost half their income in tax.
- TaxPayers’ Alliance analysis has revealed that the ‘ability to respond to major incidents (including pandemic influenza)’ was sixth on the list of priorities in the Public Health England 2020-25 strategic plan.