Despite our children leaving school “functionally illiterate,” facing the longest hospital waiting times in the UK, and pensioners struggling with winter fuel cuts, the Labour Welsh Government has decided now is the best time to ban promotional offers like “buy one get one free” and “3 for 2.”
This ban also applies to refillable drinks in popular restaurants such as Nando’s, Five Guys, and Toby Carvery - places where we enjoy free refills. Many of our favourite supermarket meal deals will also soon be a thing of the past. Classic combinations in meal deals, like crisps and chocolate, will be removed with the options deemed too unhealthy.
The Welsh Government argue these measures will help support healthier choices and address obesity. Indeed, over 60% of the population over the age of 16 is overweight or obese. However, banning food and drinks isn’t the solution - and you can guarantee prices won’t come down.
This Labour Welsh Government seems to believe that banning items is the answer rather than tackling the root causes of the issue. We should be encouraging physical activity, addressing the costs of sports clubs, and providing additional funding for sports in schools.
Instead, Welsh Labour appears to prefer a “nanny state” approach, dictating what we can eat and drink and how we live our lives. Their decisions will not solve the existing problems; in fact, they will hit the poorest in communities hardest, when money is already being stretched.
Welsh Conservatives believe you should have the right to decide what you eat and drink. Labour does not share this view. Welsh Labour seem unable to grasp that banning items is not a magical solution. We urgently need a Welsh Government that will Fix Wales, protect our vital services and ensure our children have a bright future. I will continue to fight for commonsense to prevail in the Welsh Parliament and challenge policies that are poorly timed and ill-thought-out.
ENDS
