Healthy Life Expectancy

Baroness Stedman-Scott Excerpts

Tuesday 20th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I do feel that that would be wise, and we as a Government have already shown that trajectory. To give just one example, smoking remains the preventable killer in our country, and the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill will deliver the ambition of a smoke-free UK. We will have a smoke-free generation and will gradually end the sale of tobacco products across the country. We have to break that cycle of addiction and disadvantage which is particularly focused on areas of greater disadvantage. As ever, the noble Lord speaks wise words.

[Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con)]

My Lords, as somebody who has embraced the healthier lifestyle and healthy eating—far later than I should have done—I have looked at every strategy in the book and found one that works. I draw the Minister’s attention to the fact that Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world at birth. Multiple studies have put this down to both healthy eating habits and a strong culture of exercise, both of which are reinforced during school. With Committee of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill beginning today, what steps will His Majesty’s Government be taking to ensure that our children receive better health and exercise education to emulate the success of Japan?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I congratulate the noble Baroness on being an example to us all. She referred to learning from international examples, including Japan, and indeed we do. We know that some 12 million adults and approximately 2 million children are not physically active enough, so we are developing targeted plans to help children build healthy eating habits and embed physical activity support into routines. We will continue to work closely with DfE on this.