Giles Watling, MP for Clacton, has recently attended a Parliamentary event to support calls for the new Prime Minister to push on with plans to reduce childhood obesity.
The event, which was held on 3rd July, was organised by the Obesity Health Alliance, a coalition of over 40 leading charities, medical royal colleges and campaign groups, to mark the one-year anniversary of the Government’s childhood obesity plan. MPs in attendance also heard about new polling data which showed that:
- 69% agree the new Prime Minister should continue to prioritise reducing childhood obesity
- 86% agree childhood obesity is a serious problem
- 76% say they are supportive of government action to reduce levels of childhood obesity
- 80% say they are worried about the impact of obesity on NHS resources
Speaking at the event, Caroline Cerny, Obesity Health Alliance Lead, said:
“It’s great to see MPs pledging to support Obesity Health Alliance calls for obesity to remain a Government priority. With the current political climate, progress has been slower than we’d have liked. The Government now needs to get on and make sure child-friendly policies such as a 9pm watershed on junk food adverts on TV and online are brought in as quickly and effectively as possible.”
Speaking after the event, Giles said:
“Every child has the right to grow up healthily and it’s the role of Government to create an environment that supports this. I support Obesity Health Alliance calls for Government to fully implement the proposals in Chapter 2 of the Childhood Obesity Plan without further delay, and I hope that the next Prime Minister will make it a top priority.”