Obesity row over Rishi Sunak's 'Eat Out to Help Out' restaurant scheme

Anti-obesity campaigners have criticised government plans for half-price dining this summer, saying it is a “green light to promote junk food” when Britain needs to slim down.

The “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme comes as ministers consider proposals to combat obesity, thought to include an end to “buy one, get one free (Bogof) deals” on unhealthy fare.

Boris Johnson is understood to have a renewed interest in tackling obesity, after becoming convinced that his own waistline was the reason he became perilously ill with Covid-19.

Proposals under consideration by Downing Street include a clampdown on price promotions, junk food advertising during family viewing, and an expansion in weight loss programmes.

Campaigners on Wednesday said the new deal was tantamount to a state-sponsored “Bogof".

They urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to exclude unhealthy fare from the promotion, which offers half-price deals, with a maximum discount of £10 per head, in restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets on Mondays to Wednesdays during August.

Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum said: "This looks like the mother and father of Bogofs and a green light to promote any old junk menu that the participating restaurant feels it can get away with.”

“With obesity rates ever increasing and now firmly linked to Covid-19, who wants more of the same?”

“Given a little thought Mr Sunak's scheme to put bums on seats could have been a great idea to educate people into eating better but to introduce it at such a short notice is a massively wasted opportunity,” he said.

Another health campaigner, who wished to remain anonymous, questioned why the Government had chosen to effectively subsidise fast food ahead of launching its new obesity strategy.

"I can see why they are doing it to kickstart the economy, but it doesn't join up,” they said.

Hours before the Treasury announcement, England's deputy chief medical officer urged Britons to slim down to protect themselves from coronavirus.

Two in three adults are overweight or obese, and obesity doubles the risk of death among those infected with Covid.

Dr Jenny Harries said: "Obesity is actually problematic and that's one of the things that we could do something about,” urging people to “make yourself as fit as possible”.

Steve Brine, who as a health minister under Theresa May helped devise the Conservatives' most recent obesity strategy, said the onus was on individuals to make healthy diet choices.

He said any attempt to exempt unhealthy foods from the meal deals would be a "bureaucratic nightmare."

Greg Clark, the chairman of the Commons science committee and former business secretary, said: "I think getting people to eat out in the month of August between Monday to Wednesday is a very shrewd way to get people used to eating out again and to build confidence through experience."

Restaurant chains including Pizza Hut and the Restaurant Group, which owns Wagamama, were among those welcoming the announcement.

The Chancellor suggested gyms may be open by the time the "eat out to help out" voucher scheme is operating in August.

The DUP's Sammy Wilson said:  "I think the clothes shops might welcome it as well, as once we've eaten our way through a month's half-priced meals, we might all be visiting them."

The Chancellor replied: "Perhaps alongside 'eat out to help out', we can make progress on reopening our gyms so at the same time we can deal with that side of the equation."

Katharine Jenner, Nutritionist at Action on Sugar, urged restaurants to introduce healthier menus.

She said: “Encouraging overconsumption seems short-sighted considering the recent evidence which shows those living with obesity have an increased risk of adverse outcomes from Covid-19.”

Caroline Cerny, from the Obesity Health Alliance, which represents 40 health charities, medical royal colleges and campaign groups, said: “We hope that this financial boost to restaurants, cafes and pubs will be matched by an equal boost to our health when the Government announces new plans on obesity shortly.

“The out-of-home sector has a key role to play in helping us all be healthier and the introduction of calorie labelling on menus and adoption of the calorie reduction targets will show they are willing to play their part in improving our nation's health."

Responding on Wednesday night,  a Treasury spokesman said: “We are determined to tackle the problem of obesity across all ages, with an increased focus on prevention to help reduce the health risks that being overweight or obese brings.”