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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tories warn of obesity 'excuses' | Tories warn of obesity 'excuses' |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| People should not be offered "excuses" for being overweight, shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley has said. | People should not be offered "excuses" for being overweight, shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley has said. |
| The Tories say people should take more responsibility for their lifestyles, exercise more and eat more healthily. | The Tories say people should take more responsibility for their lifestyles, exercise more and eat more healthily. |
| They would not promote the "traffic lights" food labelling of fatty and sugary foods and focus on an improved diet, rather than "fear of junk foods". | They would not promote the "traffic lights" food labelling of fatty and sugary foods and focus on an improved diet, rather than "fear of junk foods". |
| Health Minister Ann Keen said the Conservatives offered "warm words but with very little policy substance". | Health Minister Ann Keen said the Conservatives offered "warm words but with very little policy substance". |
| Mr Lansley made his comments as he launched the Conservatives' plans for a "responsibility deal" on public health between businesses and government. | Mr Lansley made his comments as he launched the Conservatives' plans for a "responsibility deal" on public health between businesses and government. |
| 'No nannying' | 'No nannying' |
| He told the BBC earlier the government-commissioned Foresight report, published last year, sent a message that "it's not about you, it's about your environment". | He told the BBC earlier the government-commissioned Foresight report, published last year, sent a message that "it's not about you, it's about your environment". |
| He said there was nothing "inevitable" about being overweight: "We can't afford to move to a world where being overweight is normal and being obese is common." | He said there was nothing "inevitable" about being overweight: "We can't afford to move to a world where being overweight is normal and being obese is common." |
| A good diet in schools doesn't necessarily mean never having chips or never eating ice-cream, what it does mean is moving to a better diet rather than stigmatising certain types of foods Andrew LansleyShadow health secretary | A good diet in schools doesn't necessarily mean never having chips or never eating ice-cream, what it does mean is moving to a better diet rather than stigmatising certain types of foods Andrew LansleyShadow health secretary |
| In a speech titled "no nannying, no excuses" he said: "Tell people that biology and the environment causes obesity and they are offered the one thing we have to avoid: an excuse. | In a speech titled "no nannying, no excuses" he said: "Tell people that biology and the environment causes obesity and they are offered the one thing we have to avoid: an excuse. |
| "As it is, people who see more fat people around them may themselves be more likely to gain weight. " | "As it is, people who see more fat people around them may themselves be more likely to gain weight. " |
| 'Vilifying' | 'Vilifying' |
| He told the BBC he wanted to work with businesses on food labelling, reducing portion sizes of ready meals and reducing saturated fats and sugar in food as well as giving people ideas about improving their exercise. | He told the BBC he wanted to work with businesses on food labelling, reducing portion sizes of ready meals and reducing saturated fats and sugar in food as well as giving people ideas about improving their exercise. |
| And he defended asking Unilever UK chairman Dave Lewis, whose company produces "Ben and Jerry's" ice cream and Pot Noodle, to head a working group looking at obesity and promoting healthier lifestyles. | And he defended asking Unilever UK chairman Dave Lewis, whose company produces "Ben and Jerry's" ice cream and Pot Noodle, to head a working group looking at obesity and promoting healthier lifestyles. |
| He said Mr Lewis had the power to influence other business leaders and the Tories had no intention of becoming the "food police". | He said Mr Lewis had the power to influence other business leaders and the Tories had no intention of becoming the "food police". |
| The Tories are using individual responsibility as an excuse for their lack of effective policies in this area Ann KeenHealth Minister | The Tories are using individual responsibility as an excuse for their lack of effective policies in this area Ann KeenHealth Minister |
| On food labelling, Mr Lansley said "ever more intrusive regulation" was not the answer - instead they favoured a more effective voluntary scheme and working with businesses. | On food labelling, Mr Lansley said "ever more intrusive regulation" was not the answer - instead they favoured a more effective voluntary scheme and working with businesses. |
| He told the BBC he did not believe banning crisps, chips and chocolates in schools worked, as children just bought them at nearby shops. | He told the BBC he did not believe banning crisps, chips and chocolates in schools worked, as children just bought them at nearby shops. |
| "A good diet in schools doesn't necessarily mean never having chips or never eating ice-cream, what it does mean is moving to a better diet rather than stigmatising certain types of foods." | "A good diet in schools doesn't necessarily mean never having chips or never eating ice-cream, what it does mean is moving to a better diet rather than stigmatising certain types of foods." |
| 'Warm words' | 'Warm words' |
| Health Minister Ann Keen said the government was committed to a £75m "Healthy Weights, Healthy Lives" campaign to encourage shops and sports clubs to help people lead healthier lives. | Health Minister Ann Keen said the government was committed to a £75m "Healthy Weights, Healthy Lives" campaign to encourage shops and sports clubs to help people lead healthier lives. |
| She said the Conservatives offered "lots of warm words but with very little policy substance". | She said the Conservatives offered "lots of warm words but with very little policy substance". |
| Andrew Lansley's speech exposes the confusion at the heart of the Conservative's strategy Norman LambLib Dems | |
| She said: "Everyone believes that individual responsibility matters. But the Tories are using individual responsibility as an excuse for their lack of effective policies in this area." | She said: "Everyone believes that individual responsibility matters. But the Tories are using individual responsibility as an excuse for their lack of effective policies in this area." |
| For the Liberal Democrats, health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "Andrew Lansley's speech exposes the confusion at the heart of the Conservative's strategy. | |
| "He lectures people about their responsibility. He blames people for being overweight and says they lack self-discipline and self-esteem. | |
| "Yet when it comes to junk food he's much more sensitive about the problem of 'stigmatising' it." | |
| He accused the Tories of "moralising and lecturing whilst remaining silent on the causes of increasing obesity" and called for policies to reduce inequality, deprivation and poor education. |