Latest news with #RoyalSocietyforPublicHealth
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Half A Million More Pupils To Receive Free School Meals In Eligibility Shake-Up
Over half a million more pupils will qualify for free school meals from September as part of the government's bid to reduce child poverty. Under the new rules, all children from households claiming Universal Credit will become eligible for free lunches, saving their parents around £500 a year. The move will lift 100,000 children out of poverty, according to the Department for Education. At the moment, only children whose household income is less than £7,400 receive free school meals. Nearly 2.1 million pupils – almost one in four of all pupils in England were eligible for free meals in January 2024. Prime minister Keir Starmer said: 'Working parents across the country are working tirelessly to provide for their families but are being held back by cost-of-living pressures. 'My government is taking action to ease those pressures. Feeding more children every day, for free, is one of the biggest interventions we can make to put more money in parents' pockets, tackle the stain of poverty, and set children up to learn. 'This expansion is a truly historic moment for our country, helping families who need it most and delivering our plan for change to give every child, no matter their background, the same chance to succeed.' Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'It is the moral mission of this government to tackle the stain of child poverty, and today this government takes a giant step towards ending it with targeted support that puts money back in parents' pockets. 'We believe that background shouldn't mean destiny. Today's historic step will help us to deliver excellence everywhere, for every child and give more young people the chance to get on in life.' The move was welcomed by William Roberts, chief executive of the Royal Society for Public Health, who said it would 'make a huge difference to thousands of children and parents across the country'. He said: 'As well as putting more money in the pockets of vulnerable families, wider provision of free school meals has been shown to lower the risk of childhood obesity, reduce absenteeism and boost educational attainment.' Labour Minister Refuses 5 Times To Say If She Wants To Scrap Two-Child Benefit Cap Robert Jenrick Suggests Nigel Farage Is On Drugs For Wanting To Scrap Two-Child Benefit Cap Is Starmer Really Looking To Lift The Two-Child Benefit Cap? Here's What We Know
LeMonde
5 days ago
- Health
- LeMonde
UK anti-obesity legislation falls victim to food industry lobbying
What will remain of the United Kingdom's upcoming anti-obesity legislation, which was intended to address the country's alarming rate of overweight children? First suggested by the Conservative government of Boris Johnson in summer 2020, the plan has continued to be watered down or postponed. On Thursday, May 22, Keir Starmer's Labour government confirmed that new rules banning television advertising for so-called "ultra-processed" foods (those high in salt, sugar, fat and dangerously addictive) before 9 pm – and prohibiting such ads entirely online – would not come into force on October 1 as planned, but on January 1, 2026. These rules will not apply to public flyers, radio advertising, or ads within podcasts and streaming services such as Spotify. William Roberts of the Royal Society for Public Health said the delay was a significant setback for public health, and urged the government that children's health could not be put on hold. The chief executive officer of the charity said limiting advertising for junk food aimed at young people was a key element in preventing health problems among children.
South Wales Guardian
14-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
UK high streets falling ‘short of mark' promoting health and well-being
Some 87% of people surveyed for the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) say their high street does not have enough of at least one of the essential amenities needed for healthy living, including green space to rest or exercise, socialising spaces such as cafes or pubs, infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, good transport links or even safe and clean areas. The charity's Streets Ahead report found that 53% of the public, equivalent to 36 million people, say their local high street does not have enough shops selling healthy food. The RSPH is calling for changes to the tax system to make online retailers increase their contributions, with the money raised being used to improve the high street. It also wants the Government to require businesses and landlords to work with local authorities to help create 'healthy high street' plans in order to get approval for private developments on or around high streets. The report suggests that high streets could 'hold the key' to promoting healthier behaviour among the general population, which could reverse rising rates of ill health. As it stands, the report claims the UK's high streets fall 'well short of the mark' on promoting health and well-being in the population. RSPH chief executive William Roberts said: 'High streets are an essential part of our society. For hundreds of years, they have been a cornerstone and they shape our experiences and our lives. 'For far too long we have allowed the gradual decline of our high streets to continue. 'Instead of the bustling hubs of community they once were, we have become far too used to seeing boarded up shops and our high streets lined with businesses that perpetuate ill health. 'We can do better. We want everyone in this country to feel that their local high street is good for their health and to be proud of their local areas. People want to be healthy and the places they spend time in need to support them to make healthier choices. 'For us, healthy places includes healthy high streets. We need to be ambitious for our high streets and that ambition to be backed up by action. This landmark new report sets out a road map for change at a national and local level.' Deltapoll surveyed 1,988 UK adults online March 3-11.
North Wales Chronicle
14-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
UK high streets falling ‘short of mark' promoting health and well-being
Some 87% of people surveyed for the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) say their high street does not have enough of at least one of the essential amenities needed for healthy living, including green space to rest or exercise, socialising spaces such as cafes or pubs, infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, good transport links or even safe and clean areas. The charity's Streets Ahead report found that 53% of the public, equivalent to 36 million people, say their local high street does not have enough shops selling healthy food. The RSPH is calling for changes to the tax system to make online retailers increase their contributions, with the money raised being used to improve the high street. It also wants the Government to require businesses and landlords to work with local authorities to help create 'healthy high street' plans in order to get approval for private developments on or around high streets. The report suggests that high streets could 'hold the key' to promoting healthier behaviour among the general population, which could reverse rising rates of ill health. As it stands, the report claims the UK's high streets fall 'well short of the mark' on promoting health and well-being in the population. RSPH chief executive William Roberts said: 'High streets are an essential part of our society. For hundreds of years, they have been a cornerstone and they shape our experiences and our lives. 'For far too long we have allowed the gradual decline of our high streets to continue. 'Instead of the bustling hubs of community they once were, we have become far too used to seeing boarded up shops and our high streets lined with businesses that perpetuate ill health. 'We can do better. We want everyone in this country to feel that their local high street is good for their health and to be proud of their local areas. People want to be healthy and the places they spend time in need to support them to make healthier choices. 'For us, healthy places includes healthy high streets. We need to be ambitious for our high streets and that ambition to be backed up by action. This landmark new report sets out a road map for change at a national and local level.' Deltapoll surveyed 1,988 UK adults online March 3-11.
Rhyl Journal
14-05-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
UK high streets falling ‘short of mark' promoting health and well-being
Some 87% of people surveyed for the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) say their high street does not have enough of at least one of the essential amenities needed for healthy living, including green space to rest or exercise, socialising spaces such as cafes or pubs, infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, good transport links or even safe and clean areas. The charity's Streets Ahead report found that 53% of the public, equivalent to 36 million people, say their local high street does not have enough shops selling healthy food. The RSPH is calling for changes to the tax system to make online retailers increase their contributions, with the money raised being used to improve the high street. It also wants the Government to require businesses and landlords to work with local authorities to help create 'healthy high street' plans in order to get approval for private developments on or around high streets. The report suggests that high streets could 'hold the key' to promoting healthier behaviour among the general population, which could reverse rising rates of ill health. As it stands, the report claims the UK's high streets fall 'well short of the mark' on promoting health and well-being in the population. RSPH chief executive William Roberts said: 'High streets are an essential part of our society. For hundreds of years, they have been a cornerstone and they shape our experiences and our lives. 'For far too long we have allowed the gradual decline of our high streets to continue. 'Instead of the bustling hubs of community they once were, we have become far too used to seeing boarded up shops and our high streets lined with businesses that perpetuate ill health. 'We can do better. We want everyone in this country to feel that their local high street is good for their health and to be proud of their local areas. People want to be healthy and the places they spend time in need to support them to make healthier choices. 'For us, healthy places includes healthy high streets. We need to be ambitious for our high streets and that ambition to be backed up by action. This landmark new report sets out a road map for change at a national and local level.' Deltapoll surveyed 1,988 UK adults online March 3-11.
