Ban on TV adverts for foods high in fat, salt and sugar delayed until 2026
Government plans to ban TV advertising for products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) before 9pm will be delayed until January 2026, following concerns from food and media brands and confusion over enforcement guidelines.
The delay to the ban, which was to have come into effect from October, comes as ministers prepare to amend legislation to ensure brand-only advertising, which does not show specific HFSS products, is not caught under the rules.
Regardless, key industry stakeholders including ITV, Channel 4, the Advertising Association and the British Retail Consortium, have committed to complying with the restrictions from October 1.
The restrictions will legally take effect on January 5.
A Government spokesman said: 'Obesity robs children of the best start in life and sets them up for a lifetime of health problems, which costs the NHS billions.
'We have secured a unique and public commitment from advertisers and broadcasters so that from October 1 2025, adverts for identifiable less healthy products will not be shown on TV before 9pm or at any time online, and this will be a legal duty from January 2026.
'The junk food advertising restrictions on TV and online are a crucial part of our plan for change to raise the healthiest generation of children ever. By reducing children's exposure to junk food advertising, we will remove up to 7.2 billion calories from UK children's diets each year.'
It is understood that a four-month pause will now allow the Department of Health and the Advertising Standards Authority to work on a clearer interpretation of the restrictions.
This is despite many retailers, including major grocers, previously committing to a voluntary October 2025 start.
An Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) spokesman said: 'The Government has set out its intention to bring in amending legislation to push back the implementation date on LHF (less healthy food and drink) ad restrictions and to consult on changing the law on brand exemption.
'We recognise the importance of this issue for a range of stakeholders, therefore, together with Ofcom, we will now carefully assess what this means for the process to develop and implement the rules and guidance and will provide a further update as soon as possible.'
The decision comes amid concerns raised by retailers and broadcasters about the impact of the ban.
In April, the Government was forced to reassure businesses that pure brand messages are not 'in scope' of the upcoming ban.
However, it added that brands might have to be more creative in the way they showcase their food ranges.
Addressing the House of Commons last month, health minister Ashley Dalton said, 'While it is for a court to interpret the legislation, the Government's view remains that pure brand advertising is not in scope of this policy.
'This is because the legislation only restricts adverts that could reasonably be considered to be for identifiable less healthy products, and not adverts that could be reasonably understood to be advertising brands.
'We therefore expect that businesses will still have opportunities to promote their brands, provided that their adverts do not identify a less healthy product.'
Ms Dalton also said that the final interpretation of the junk food ad guidelines would be up to regulators, with the law providing 'considerable discretion' in how the new rules can be enforced.
Speaking at the Retail Technology Show earlier this year, M&S chairman Archie Norman said the government's new HFSS advertising rules 'probably mean we can't run a Christmas ad', due to many festive foods not adhering to HFSS guidelines.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bloomberg
8 hours ago
- Bloomberg
This Isn't How You ‘Restore Gold Standard' Science
In another attempt to concentrate power, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to 'restore gold standard science' in federal research and policy. It sounds reasonable given the instances of bad or faked science being published, including high-profile papers on Alzheimer's drug development and one misleadingly claiming that hydroxychloroquine would cure Covid-19. In the last decade, scientists themselves have grown concerned about the large number of studies whose promising results couldn't be replicated. However, researchers dedicated to reforming their field say the president's plan isn't a solution. It's a way to give government officials the power to reject evidence they disagree with — without any accountability or transparency.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ministers urged to give pensions to retired police dogs
Ministers are being urged to fulfil their 'ethical and moral obligation' to provide pensions for police dogs when the animals retire. Charity the Thin Blue Paw Foundation said it has provided grants of £380,000 to owners since it was set up in August 2020 to cover vet bills, because the animals are often left with health issues after working hard physically during their careers. Chairman Kieran Stanbridge said: 'Police dogs give the best years of their lives to the job. 'They throw themselves into dangerous situations without a second thought, they show unwavering loyalty to their handler and their job, and they give so much to help fight crime and keep the public safe. 'During their careers they receive the very best care and support from the force they serve with but, as soon as they hang up their harness, they're on their own, and the responsibility for their often-expensive care falls to their ex-handler or new owner. 'We believe that the Home Office, who allocate funding to police forces nationally, have an ethical and moral obligation to these dogs and shouldn't turn their backs on them when it's time to pay them back for everything they've done.' There are around 1,700 serving police dogs in the UK, according to the foundation, and around 100 retire each year. It has launched a petition to push the Government for a ring-fenced budget to provide support for the owners of retired police dogs. Mr Stanbridge added: 'Police dogs lead physically demanding lives and, when they retire – whether due to injury or age – they often have health problems as a result of their career, which can require expensive medication, therapy and management throughout their retirement. 'Taking on any dog is a responsibility, but taking on an older retired police dog with health problems is a huge commitment, particularly during the current cost of living crisis. 'We need to ensure that there is support in place for these heroic police dogs so that people aren't put off the idea of rehoming them when they retire and so that owners are never faced with the heartbreaking decision of having them put to sleep because they can't afford their treatment.' Conditions such as arthritis can mean bills of up to £2,400 per year for pain medication, the charity said, and because these are pre-existing medical complaints they would not be covered by pet insurance. Police Scotland dog handler Julie Roy was faced with large vet bills caring for retired German shepherd Keach, who worked for West Midlands Police before moving north of the border. Keach has arthritis in her spin and knee, and the Thin Blue Paw Foundation pays for her pain medication. Ms Roy said: 'Vet bills are expensive and our dogs have worked hard in their working life, putting extra strain on the joints and the body. 'These dogs deserve to have ongoing support when they retire, so they can access the medication and treatment they need having served their communities for so long.' Fellow dog handler Claire Bird, form West Sussex, adopted Belgian Malinois Fiji, who worked for Surrey Police. She has required two operations, one for an infection of the uterus and a gastric procedure, and needs regular medication for allergies. So far the foundation has paid £10,000 for her care. Ms Bird said: 'I've kept all of my working dogs when they retire and, as any dog owner knows, taking care of them is expensive. 'But I couldn't turn my back on them after everything they've given. 'I believe that there should be more support in place for these incredible heroes when they retire. 'They do so much for us while they're serving and yet when they retire, the Government and the police turn their backs on them.'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Is Scottish care sector at risk from immigration shake-up?
New immigration rules risk deepening Scotland's care sector crisis amid workforce shortages, writes Carolyn Bowie The UK Government's changes to immigration rules for care workers marks a significant shift for Scotland's health and social care sector. Whilst aimed at improving oversight and reducing exploitation, these new rules, along with further proposed restrictions, could intensify recruitment and compliance pressures on care providers already struggling with chronic workforce shortages. In February 2022, the Skilled Worker visa route was expanded to include care workers, triggering a rapid rise in overseas recruitment; numbers jumped from 37,000 in 2022 to 108,000 in 2023. Alongside this, 120,000 dependants also entered the UK, an imbalance that has prompted government action. Throughout 2024, the Home Office cracked down on care sector sponsors, revoking 1,494 licences, which was a significant shift from 337 in 2023. This left around 40,000 migrant workers in the UK without valid sponsorship, many of whom remain ready to rejoin the workforce if given the opportunity. (Image: Carolyn Bowie is a Principal Associate and Business Immigration specialist) Which 2024/2025 key reforms is the care sector already grappling with? Dependents Banned: From 11 March 2024, care workers are no longer allowed to bring dependents to the UK. The government argues this helps control net migration, eventhough it makes the UK a less attractive destination for skilled overseas carers. Mandatory CQC Registration: Care providers hiring via the Skilled Worker route must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This aims to prevent unethical employers from exploiting workers, ensuring greater oversight. Rising Costs: From 9 April 2025, the Certificate of Sponsorship fee increased from £239 to £525. This cost cannot be passed on to the worker, adding financial pressure on employers. Application fees across immigration routes, including Skilled Worker visas and settlement, are also rising. Domestic Recruitment Priority: Care providers must now demonstrate attempts to hire from within the UK, especially among displaced international workers, before sponsoring new recruits from overseas. While intended to reduce dependency on foreign labour, it may hinder providers in areas with limited local applicants and put burden onto councils and carers. Minimum Salary Increased: The minimum salary for a Health and Care Visa has risen to £25,000, up from £23,200, to align with labour market conditions. White Paper proposals: What are we expecting? Ending Overseas Recruitment: Perhaps the most controversial proposal is the phased removal of the care worker route for new overseas applicants. If implemented, this would prevent care providers from sponsoring new migrant workers altogether, raising alarm in a sector already grappling with staff shortages. Limited Transition Period: Current overseas care workers will be allowed to remain, change sponsors, and apply for settlement under a three-year transition period; however, this timeframe, and the policy itself, will remain under review. Settlement Delayed: The time required to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain may double, from five to ten years, for many care workers, impacting long-term workforce planning and staff retention. What employers should do now ■ Review Sponsorship Systems: Ensure full compliance with record-keeping, reporting, and monitoring duties. ■ Train HR Teams: Equip recruitment staff with up-to-date knowledge of immigration rules and processes. ■ Plan for Domestic Recruitment: Begin developing local training and recruitment pathways to reduce reliance on overseas workers where possible. ■ Audit Pay Structures: Ensure staff salaries meet the updated minimum thresholds. ■ Engage Sponsored Staff: Hold discussions with current employees about their status and future options. The challenges ahead? These reforms underscore the government's commitment to reducing net migration and curbing visa misuse. However, the new restrictions carry significant risks for care providers; tighter eligibility criteria, higher costs and more administrative burdens, all at a time of high demand for care workers. Smaller providers may be disproportionately affected, lacking the resources to navigate complex compliance demands or absorb the additional costs; this could affect thousands in care. The UK's evolving immigration policy represents a turning point for health and social care. Whilst efforts to improve standards and support domestic recruitment are welcome, a blanket reduction in overseas recruitment risks destabilising a sector already under pressure; this could directly impact the quality (and quantity) of care received by reliant on care provision. A more balanced approach, supporting ethical international hiring alongside investment in local skills, will be essential to sustaining care services in Scotland and across the UK. Carolyn Bowie is a Principal Associate and Business Immigration specialist with leading national law firm, Weightmans
