A NANNY state ban on “buy one get one free” deals could be junked following an onslaught of criticism.
Multi-buy offers for unhealthy food and drinks are set to be prohibited from October under a long-planned government obesity crackdown.
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But Rishi Sunak today hinted he could pull the plug as Tory MPs blasted the “nanny state” idea.
Despite No10 previously saying he was “committed” to the plan, Mr Sunak said “no final decisions have been made”.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay is also understood to be concerned the ban will hit struggling families for very little benefits.
The Government’s own impact assessment reckons banning multi-buys will save people just three calories per day.
Conservative backbencher Philip Davies yesterday let rip at the “utterly bonkers” policy devised by Boris Johnson and demanded it be scrapped.
He told Mr Sunak: “One of the landmines he [Mr Johnson] left behind was the idiotic triumph of the nanny state of banning buy one, get one free and other special offers on products that the Department of Health thought was unhealthy.”
He added: “During a cost-of-living crisis it is utterly bonkers. So can I ask the Prime Minister if he will intervene, pursue a more Conservative agenda, as (Mr Johnson) would want him to do, and scrap this ridiculous policy?”
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Mr Sunak said: “After I took office, given the concerns that he and others had raised about the impact on the cost of living, we already have, as he knows, postponed the introduction of this policy.
“No final decisions have been made, but I will continue to take what he says very seriously in all our deliberations.”
The imminent ban on multibuys will apply to all food and drink high in fat, salt, or sugar across BOGOF, “3 for 2” and free drinks refills.
Christopher Snowdon from the Institute for Economic Affairs said: “Repealing this policy at a time when food inflation is nearly 20 per cent has to be the biggest no-brainer in British politics today.”
Downing Street said there are “no plans” to ditch the October ban but it was being kept under review.
