PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Food: Advertising (4 December 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential economic effect on small and large businesses of the different proposals in the consultation on restricting the online advertising of foods high in fat, salt or sugar.

Asked by:
Bob Blackman (Conservative)

We published an evidence note alongside the consultation on the proposal to introduce a total restriction of online advertising for products high in fat, salt and sugar. This is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/total-restriction-of-online-advertising-for-products-high-in-fat-sugar-and-salt-hfss/evidence-note

This builds on the impact assessment that accompanied the 2019 consultation on further advertising restrictions on TV and online. This is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/786554/advertising-consultation-impact-assessment.pdf

In the consultation we have asked a question on the impact of the proposals on small businesses and are engaging with industry to understand these in more detail to factor in the final policy decision. We will outline the detailed costs and benefits of the final policy in the response to the consultation early next year.

Answered by:
Jo Churchill (Conservative)
10 December 2020