Luciana Berger MP, Labour’s Shadow Public Health Minister, responding to the Chief Medical Officer’s warning on worrying obesity levels in England, said:

“This report clearly illustrates the Government’s failure to get to grips with the alarming rate of obesity.

“The Government should be on the side of parents in tackling this problem but they’re failing. Their voluntary Responsibility Deal is weak and simply not working.

“Nothing is more important to any parent than protecting their child’s health, yet the system is stacked against parents who want to make the right decisions for their children.

“The scale of the obesity challenge demands bold leadership. That is why Labour is consulting with parents and experts about whether a cap is needed on the amount of sugar, fat and salt in food marketed to children.”