Major change to supermarket offers delayed again after onslaught of criticism

THE bonkers ban on buy-one-get-one-free offers has been delayed yet again after an onslaught of criticism.

It was on ice due to the cost of living crisis but will now be pushed back by two years.

Ministers had originally planned to ban multibuy offers on all food and drink high in fat, salt, or sugar across BOGOF, “3 for 2” and free drinks refills.

It had been due to come into force this October in a long-planned government obesity crackdown, but will now not start until October 2025.

Just this week Downing Street said they had "no plans" to u-turn on the policy, but MPs hit out after the Government's own impact assessment showed it would save adults just three to four calories a day.

At PMQs on Wednesday, Conservative backbencher Philip Davies branded the ban an "idiotic triumph of the nanny state."

He added: "During a cost-of-living crisis it is utterly bonkers."

Christopher Snowdon from the Institute for Economic Affairs said: “Repealing this policy at a time when food inflation is nearly 20 per cent has to be the biggest no-brainer in British politics today.”

Health Secretary Steve Barclay was also understood to be concerned the ban will hit struggling families for very little benefits.

Last night the PM confirmed the delay: “I firmly believe in people’s right to choose – and at a time when household budgets are under continuing pressure from the global rise in food prices, it is not fair for government to restrict the options available to consumers on their weekly shop.

“It is right that we consider carefully the impact on consumers and businesses, while ensuring we’re striking the balance with our important mission to reduce obesity and help people live healthier lives.”

Mr Sunak insisted: "Addressing obesity remains a priority for government, as it will help to reduce the strain put on the NHS as it works to tackle the COVID-19 backlogs.

"This month the government announced the rollout of a new generation of obesity drugs to support people to lose weight and reduce pressure on hospitals."

Last night Boris Johnson also threw his weight behind obesity drugs, admitting he had tried to use them himself to slim down.

Writing in the Daily Mail, the ex-PM said: "I agree with the fundamental conservative instinct — that we should be relying on good old-fashioned human determination to keep that fridge door shut.

"We should all be taking more exercise. But in the end it may not be enough.

"I see nothing morally wrong in using these drugs to help you lose weight, any more than it is wrong to use an electrically assisted bicycle to get up the hill.

"Even for us fatties, it turns out, there is such a thing as satiety — and science has found it."