Tory spokesman takes Labour to task for muddled thinking and incoherent strategies
Andrew Lansley, Shadow secretary of state for health
What has happened to public health since Labour came to power? In short, there has been a crisis. Despite the former health secretary Alan Milburn’s call four years ago to drag public health ‘out of the ghetto ’, we have seen resources in the NHS directed to areas where they can deliver ‘quick wins’. The consequence is that trends in public health have deteriorated.
A report on obesity by the Commons health select committee, published in May, put the cost of obesity at £3.6bn a year and the cost of obesity plus the consequences of overweight at £7.4bn. The committee reported that obesity had grown by 400% in the last 25 years and on present trends its consequences will soon surpass smoking as the greatest cause of premature loss of life.
The Commons select committee report on public health which was published in March 2001 highlighted the confusion surrounding the leadership of public health at every level.
This has been illustrated by the recent mixed messages and incoherent strategies that have come from Labour. The direction the government has taken in tackling obesity has been unclear. Initiatives have appeared contradictory and different ministers’ hints of initiatives that are on the way are made on one day and and denied the next.
An example of this was a hint that the government would introduce a tax on fat and the next day the idea was abandoned.
As I indicated at the beginning of this year, Conservatives will make public health a priority. We will implement policies to ensure a co-ordinated approach both nationally and locally and will set in place a clear framework of accountability to ensure that there is a coherent strategy on public health, and effective leadership to deal with public health crises and any emergency outbreaks of infection.
In the next Conservative government, I will take direct responsibility for public health. It will be the secretary of state, not a junior minister as it is under Labour, who will have responsibility for public health.
I will retain the advice of the Chief Medical Officer who will have a key advisory position in the Department of Health - acting as he does now, as the professional lead on public health matters.
To ensure a co-ordinated approach nationally and across government we will bring in a Public Health Act to establish a Public Health Commission. This will be an independent body that will have a similar role, although on public health, to the National Audit Office.
The Conservative Party supports, wherever possible a self-regulatory approach to public health issues.
The role of government should be to communicate key messages on public health. But ultimately individuals themselves must be responsible for their own actions.
That is why we do not plan to use our Public Health Act to bring in bans on advertising food or smoking in public places. Instead, the Act will only be used where and if voluntary solutions fail.
Conservatives are determined to give public health the priority it deserves and give individuals the improvements they demand.
Where government has depreciated public health, we will give it the priority it deserves.
In place of fragmented structures, we will bring clear lines of executive responsibility.
Instead of inconsistent messages, we will focus on consistent, evidence-based campaigns, informed by the new Public Health Commission.
Beware arguments in favour of big business that are disguised as championing choice
Paul Burstow, Liberal Democrat health spokesman
The debate should not be about who is to blame, but about how to solve this growing problem. As a Liberal Democrat I believe strongly in the freedom of the individual to exercise choice over his or her lifestyle, as long as this does not have a negative impact on other people.
I believe that very many people want to make healthy choices for themselves and for their children.
However, it is sometimes hard for people to do so. Sometimes people seem to be arguing for the freedom of the individual but are in fact arguing in favour of big business.
I believe it is important to have some regulation that helps consumers to make healthier choices, for example by clearer food labelling.
All types of food can form part of a balanced diet. But there are some fast foods for which it is hard to see how they fit easily into a balanced diet. I think it is important that consumers get clear information, particularly about the salt, sugar and fat content of foods.
It is important that the food and drink industry works to reduce levels of salt, sugar and fat in foods. Reformulation of processed foods has an important part to play and I regret that progress in this area has been patchy to date.
Retailers’ refusal to submit revised salt reduction plans to the public health minister Melanie Johnson fuels the impression that the food industry does not want to be part of the solution.
I believe the role of the government is to support people who want to make healthier choices. People need support to take control of their own health. This includes clearer labelling and giving people further opportunities to lead healthier lifestyles.
The government should be focused on improving the health of the nation, including being aware of the impact of government legislation on public health.
We have clear party policy to ask the Food Standards Agency to develop a clear traffic-light labelling system. We believe it is essential to help busy shoppers make healthier choices, simplifying the confusing labelling systems that currently exist.
We will ensure that wherever possible national legislation maximises health through health impact assessment of legislation. At a local level, we will give local communities an enhanced role in delivering healthcare and mutual support by strengthening the voluntary sector and by promoting community projects.
We will also enhance access to healthy food, for example through voluntary initiatives like school breakfast clubs, and through planning development so that communities have access to a wide range of food shops.
We will recognise the importance of education in improving health by ensuring the national curriculum includes information on healthy living.
We have a policy to require the Food Standards Agency and Ofcom to develop a policy on restricting the advertising of unhealthy foods during television programmes for children.
Andrew Lansley, Shadow secretary of state for health
What has happened to public health since Labour came to power? In short, there has been a crisis. Despite the former health secretary Alan Milburn’s call four years ago to drag public health ‘out of the ghetto ’, we have seen resources in the NHS directed to areas where they can deliver ‘quick wins’. The consequence is that trends in public health have deteriorated.
A report on obesity by the Commons health select committee, published in May, put the cost of obesity at £3.6bn a year and the cost of obesity plus the consequences of overweight at £7.4bn. The committee reported that obesity had grown by 400% in the last 25 years and on present trends its consequences will soon surpass smoking as the greatest cause of premature loss of life.
The Commons select committee report on public health which was published in March 2001 highlighted the confusion surrounding the leadership of public health at every level.
This has been illustrated by the recent mixed messages and incoherent strategies that have come from Labour. The direction the government has taken in tackling obesity has been unclear. Initiatives have appeared contradictory and different ministers’ hints of initiatives that are on the way are made on one day and and denied the next.
An example of this was a hint that the government would introduce a tax on fat and the next day the idea was abandoned.
As I indicated at the beginning of this year, Conservatives will make public health a priority. We will implement policies to ensure a co-ordinated approach both nationally and locally and will set in place a clear framework of accountability to ensure that there is a coherent strategy on public health, and effective leadership to deal with public health crises and any emergency outbreaks of infection.
In the next Conservative government, I will take direct responsibility for public health. It will be the secretary of state, not a junior minister as it is under Labour, who will have responsibility for public health.
I will retain the advice of the Chief Medical Officer who will have a key advisory position in the Department of Health - acting as he does now, as the professional lead on public health matters.
To ensure a co-ordinated approach nationally and across government we will bring in a Public Health Act to establish a Public Health Commission. This will be an independent body that will have a similar role, although on public health, to the National Audit Office.
The Conservative Party supports, wherever possible a self-regulatory approach to public health issues.
The role of government should be to communicate key messages on public health. But ultimately individuals themselves must be responsible for their own actions.
That is why we do not plan to use our Public Health Act to bring in bans on advertising food or smoking in public places. Instead, the Act will only be used where and if voluntary solutions fail.
Conservatives are determined to give public health the priority it deserves and give individuals the improvements they demand.
Where government has depreciated public health, we will give it the priority it deserves.
In place of fragmented structures, we will bring clear lines of executive responsibility.
Instead of inconsistent messages, we will focus on consistent, evidence-based campaigns, informed by the new Public Health Commission.
Beware arguments in favour of big business that are disguised as championing choice
Paul Burstow, Liberal Democrat health spokesman
The debate should not be about who is to blame, but about how to solve this growing problem. As a Liberal Democrat I believe strongly in the freedom of the individual to exercise choice over his or her lifestyle, as long as this does not have a negative impact on other people.
I believe that very many people want to make healthy choices for themselves and for their children.
However, it is sometimes hard for people to do so. Sometimes people seem to be arguing for the freedom of the individual but are in fact arguing in favour of big business.
I believe it is important to have some regulation that helps consumers to make healthier choices, for example by clearer food labelling.
All types of food can form part of a balanced diet. But there are some fast foods for which it is hard to see how they fit easily into a balanced diet. I think it is important that consumers get clear information, particularly about the salt, sugar and fat content of foods.
It is important that the food and drink industry works to reduce levels of salt, sugar and fat in foods. Reformulation of processed foods has an important part to play and I regret that progress in this area has been patchy to date.
Retailers’ refusal to submit revised salt reduction plans to the public health minister Melanie Johnson fuels the impression that the food industry does not want to be part of the solution.
I believe the role of the government is to support people who want to make healthier choices. People need support to take control of their own health. This includes clearer labelling and giving people further opportunities to lead healthier lifestyles.
The government should be focused on improving the health of the nation, including being aware of the impact of government legislation on public health.
We have clear party policy to ask the Food Standards Agency to develop a clear traffic-light labelling system. We believe it is essential to help busy shoppers make healthier choices, simplifying the confusing labelling systems that currently exist.
We will ensure that wherever possible national legislation maximises health through health impact assessment of legislation. At a local level, we will give local communities an enhanced role in delivering healthcare and mutual support by strengthening the voluntary sector and by promoting community projects.
We will also enhance access to healthy food, for example through voluntary initiatives like school breakfast clubs, and through planning development so that communities have access to a wide range of food shops.
We will recognise the importance of education in improving health by ensuring the national curriculum includes information on healthy living.
We have a policy to require the Food Standards Agency and Ofcom to develop a policy on restricting the advertising of unhealthy foods during television programmes for children.
No comments yet