In defence of Starmer’s junk food advert ban

Keir Starmer’s government has just made itself even more unpopular. This week, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, author of One Boy, Two Bills and a Fry Up, specified which junk foods will be banned from online and TV adverts before 9pm. The prohibition, set to begin next October, is so extensive that it includes lentil-based crisps and seasoned chickpeas. It’s drastic, disciplinarian, and very sensible.

The ban, which covers adverts promoting foods or drinks that are high in fat, salt or sugar, comes as Britain desperately needs to contain an alarming rise in obesity. Two-thirds of adults are overweight and just under a third are living with obesity, according to the House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee. Obesity costs Britain dearly. The NHS spends more than £11 billion a year on health problems that stem from the condition, and the annual cost to the economy is in the tens of billions.