Prevention of Ill Health: Government Vision Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Department of Health and Social Care

Prevention of Ill Health: Government Vision

John Howell Excerpts
Monday 5th November 2018

(5 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Matt Hancock Portrait Matt Hancock
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I have of course looked at that report. It is important, and it is important that we get the answers to it right.

John Howell Portrait John Howell (Henley) (Con)
- Hansard - -

Will the Secretary of State agree that more education should be spent on understanding the total role of sugars in combating diabetes, to go with the success that he has had with regards to the direct focus on sugars in drinks and food?

Matt Hancock Portrait Matt Hancock
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My hon. Friend is absolutely right; I strongly agree. Reformulation is critical. However, it is crucial to look not just at sugar, but at calorie count. Replacing sugars with higher calorie products is not necessarily the right way forward.