Restaurant industry ‘blindsided' by government plans to crack down on obesity
These proposals aim to combat obesity, reduce food intake, and encourage large restaurant chains to increase the healthiness of their sales.
UK Hospitality, a trade body, expressed that the industry was "totally blindsided" by the plans, warning of increased costs and further red tape for struggling businesses.
A 2024 study indicated that previous mandatory calorie labelling on menus, introduced in 2022, did not significantly change the number of calories people bought or ate.
Eating disorder charities have voiced concerns that calorie labelling can exacerbate anxiety and lead to harmful behaviours for individuals with eating disorders.
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BBC News
36 minutes ago
- BBC News
Cervical screening: Campaign group 'no further forward'
A campaign group have said they feel "no further forward" following a briefing on the Cytology Screening Review at a health committee meeting on with Letters was set up after a major review of cervical screening was announced in the Southern Health October 2023, BBC News NI revealed about 17,500 women in Northern Ireland are to have their smear tests re-checked as part of a major review of cervical screening dating back to Department of Health (DoH), Public Health Agency (PHA) and Southern and Belfast Health Trusts appeared before Stormont's health committee. "No one has taken accountability for the scandal that happened over 13 years and, as a group, we still have many questions that remain unanswered - how did this happen, why did it continue for 13 years and who is going to take responsibility?" the campaign group said. Expert opinion on reports nearly completed In December 2024, two reports were published by the Southern Health Trust and PHA following the cervical cytology health committee heard that an expert opinion of these reports, a peer review report by NHS England and several patient learning reviews are nearly will be published "imminently" in August or Ladies with Letters said in a statement that the delays were "adding to the frustration and disappointment felt by many of the ladies we are in contact with".They said they "cannot understand why a statutory public inquiry has not already been initiated" and that the more they heard today, "the more it seems that the whole cervical screening system is in disarray"."Our firm view is that in order to learn lessons for the future and to restore public confidence in the Cervical Screening Programme in Northern Ireland, we need to establish the full, unvarnished facts of what has happened."This will only happen through a statutory public inquiry which has the power to compel witnesses and evidence from all relevant stakeholders, and more importantly, allow those affected by the scandal to have a voice," they said. Enda McGarrity, solicitor for the Ladies with Letters said the failures that have occurred have been on an "unprecedented scale".He said the group have engaged with the health minister on these issues for more than a year and they have "waited long enough"."Their request is a simple one - the minister should without further delay establish a statutory public inquiry with full powers to compel evidence, witnesses and which places those who have suffered most at the heart of its work," he said.
Scottish Sun
38 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Warning for parents about colors your children should NEVER wear at the beach – certain swimsuits make them ‘invisible'
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Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Minister removes Belfast Trust chair but MLA insists department has questions to answer
But after Ciaran Mulgrew was stood down, a DUP MLA warned this should not deflect from scrutiny of senior officials within the Department of Health. Mr Mulgrew will leave the post on Friday and the department said the process for filling that position is being initiated as a priority. The Belfast Trust has been under the highest level of intervention following the findings of a report into bullying and poor behaviour within the Royal Victoria Hospital's cardiac surgery unit. Pressure has also been mounting over capital delays and overspend on the Maternity Hospital. The BBC has reported that Mr Nesbitt decided on a change of leadership at the trust, saying he believes a fresh start is required. The minister and department thanked Mr Mulgrew for his contribution to the trust and the wider health and social care system. The Belfast Trust's interim chief executive Maureen Edwards extended her 'sincere thanks to Ciaran for his unwavering support, contribution and commitment during his time as trust chairman". She said Mr Mulgrew had helped the trust through some challenging times since his appointment. "In particular, he has shown courage and leadership over the last few months in bringing focus and committing to addressing issues around culture and behaviours in our organisation," she said. "Ciaran always acknowledges the fantastic work of staff in Belfast Trust and is proud of their many achievements. He is leaving the organisation with our gratitude and best wishes for the future. "I wish to reassure our staff and the public that we will continue to make tangible improvements across the organisation to benefit staff, patients and service users." 'There is a wider systemic problem within the Belfast Trust that will not be resolved by simply removing one individual' – Dianne Dodds Mr Mulgrew's Belfast Trust profile says he is a native of Andersonstown, west Belfast. He became chairman of the Belfast Trust in April 2023. He was previously managing director and owner operator of Niche Drinks Co. Ltd, a successful alcoholic drinks manufacturer and marketeer based in Derry's Waterside. The business was sold to MGP Luxco, a US-based plc. in 2021. Mr Mulgrew was educated at Queen's University, Belfast and has a Master's degree from Napier University, Edinburgh. Whilst based in the north-west, he served as a non-executive director of Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission; Altnagelvin Hospital Trust; and the Western Health and Social Care Trust. He is also currently a non-executive director of Invest Northern Ireland, the Trust website states. News Catch up: July 1st 2025 DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds said his departure is a reflection of the scale of the turmoil within that organisation, but that responsibility 'goes much wider' than one individual. She said: 'Removal of the chair is testament to the sheer scale of crisis within the Belfast Trust. There have been a series of scandals over recent months and this reflects that. 'However, it should be remembered that many of these issues predated the current chair's tenure. 'Responsibilities within the Trust go much wider than simply one individual and the Department of Health will have had an awareness of these issues also.' She added: 'There is a wider systemic problem within the Belfast Trust that will not be resolved by simply removing one individual. 'However, we will need to hear more detail about what exactly has prompted this decision at this time. That is something I will continue to probe both within the Health Committee and beyond.' Dr Alan Stout, chair of the BMA NI Council, said he 'instinctively' did not like the decision. 'We hear lots of dialogue about crises, culture and behaviour, but little about solutions and change,' he posted on social media. 'We have big culture issues. We are missing open spaces, freedom to speak up and safety guardians. 'It concerns me that individuals are targeted.'
