MPs deride Lansley's 'nudging' deal with food and drink firms

[LeftishBrit]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/nov/02/mps-deride-lansley-food-and-drink-firm

...The Commons health select committee also says the government's other reforms risk widening health inequalities, and that frontline public health services are being cut because of the NHS squeeze, despite ministerial assurances to the contrary.

The cross-party group of MPs have serious doubts about the effectiveness of health secretary Andrew Lansley's Public Health Responsibility Deal, whereby fast food firms, drinks makers and supermarket chains help shape the coalition's approach to public health, and thus avoid being subjected to further legislation, in return for what critics say are inadequate changes, such as cutting salt in food...

A strategy to reduce obesity unveiled last month was criticised by TV chef Oliver as "worthless, regurgitated, patronising rubbish" for failing to specify steps the government would itself take and instead relying on individuals' lifestyle changes.

The coalition's planned health premium, which will see NHS funding given to local authorities which make the most progress in tackling health problems, will favour better-off areas, where people's health is generally better, than poorer districts with more ingrained poor health in their populations, the MPs' report also claims.

(And a lot more at the link. Health warning: it may raise your blood pressure!)