Speeches by George.

“We do not have a lot of time, but I was just taken aback by concerns that there was such a postcode lottery with regard to the current commissioning of services if we are to move from sickness to prevention. In other words, exercise programmes being commissioned not to treat but to prevent. I noticed in the 10-year pla…”

“It seems that there is a need for better integration between what the Government are trying to commission through the modern service framework and what already exists on the ground through running clubs, sports associations, gyms and so on. Professor Todd, just taking your point that people will often join a gym in Jan…”

“Welcome, panel. As you know, the Government completed a consultation on its sugar levy in July, but it has not yet responded. Are you satisfied with what the Government proposed and—taking a lead from the last panel—that the industry is not overly influencing the process? I do not know who would like to start. I think …”

“Can more be done in terms of portions, minimum pricing or anything of that nature? Has either of you looked at those as options?”

“And the levy could be expanded to cover—”

“Okay. Should it be focused on anything else?”

“Should it be focused solely on sugar or should there be anything else? I don’t know whether I have given you a chance to speak, Nika.”

“All three of you agree that levies are a good policy and the right direction to go in. We heard from our first panel that there should also be warning labels. Are levies more effective than warning labels, or should they be working together?”

“What changes have you been pushing for other than going back to the higher tier and getting that reintroduced? What other actions can the Government take?”

“You say that this is going on behind the scenes and there is a behind-the-scenes consultation. Do you know whether the industry itself is part of those behind-the-scenes discussions?”

“Are you aware that the industry has a direct line to the process behind the scenes?”

“That is obviously part of their own response to the consultation.”

“Let me clarify that I am referring to the soft drinks industry levy. Katharine, do you want to start?”

“To take an unsentimental and heartless view—not that I am suggesting that anyone in the NHS could be characterised in that way—from what you are saying, if we work at this sufficiently, people could have a shorter period of ill health at the end of their life, whenever that end comes, whether at 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100. …”

“We have received evidence that there is a change in commitment to physical activity at the point of retirement. How do we change that? That seems to be an opportunity, because the state knows that a person has reached that point. How do we communicate and encourage people to change that trajectory?”

“Do GP surgeries need to have life coaches? How do you ensure that the availability of activities through social prescribing or other methods is not simply taken up by the sharp-elbowed middle classes, rather than those who are the targets, who you say would benefit most?”

“Are there any examples around the country of local primary care and public health services getting this right or being ahead of the rest of the country?”

“Has anyone asked?”

“What kind of public health interventions are most effective? We talked about walking, running, swimming and so on. More importantly, how do you target the groups who would benefit most?”

“Slow as it was, that is welcome indeed, but will the Government go beyond suspending new trade deals and actively review existing trade deals with Israel, including both goods and services originating from the illegal settlements, to ensure that UK trade policy does not undermine the prospect of Palestinian statehood?”