Some time again we beneficial a coverage of masterly inactivity to a UK authorities decided to privatise Channel 4, a terrestrial TV channel (with a rising variety of digital bits) that prices the taxpayer nothing and, in its final yr, made a surplus of over £100m.
That one appears to have been kicked into the lengthy grass, as now (formally) has the proposed ban on HFSS meals (excessive in fats, sugar and salt) now scheduled to be checked out once more after the subsequent election in 2024.
The Division of Well being nonetheless maintains: “The federal government takes tackling weight problems severely. Having a match and wholesome inhabitants is important for a thriving financial system and can proceed to work intently with business to make it simpler for folks to make more healthy decisions.” So it’s a keep of execution for quick meals, confectionery manufacturers and the like.
However will it ever occur? It’d if Labour wins the subsequent election but it surely’s yet one more instance of this explicit authorities being seemingly unable to do something – or something helpful.
The nation is grinding to a halt with nearly no trains operating all through December (Christmas journey and all that) because the Authorities stymies a rail peace deal due to its daft insistence that trains run with out guards. Guards absolutely can’t price that a lot (rail fares within the UK are sky excessive) and most passengers really feel significantly safer if there’s another person on the practice other than the driving force.
There’s little proof that an advert watershed of 9pm would do a lot to slim down fats Britain but it surely’s not an unreasonable transfer. The TV corporations would absolutely cope.
A greater transfer could be to ban betting and playing advertisements solely. For the time being they’re restricted to a post-9pm watershed (as is deliberate for HFSS) which solely signifies that the harmless viewer of Sky Sports activities and different channels is bombarded with the rattling issues after 9pm regardless of overwhelming proof that betting is dangerous for you – particularly given the rise of betting on mobiles – and impressionable folks don’t all go to mattress at 8.59pm.
Normally phrases promoting is nice for the financial system – helps competitors and partly funds free media – however there are some exceptions. HFSS meals could also be one. Playing is definitely one other however will the Authorities and advocates of promoting just like the UK Promoting Affiliation ever grasp the nettle? Don’t maintain your breath.
