Thursday, September 12, 2024 Junk law to ban junk food ads Junk food adverts will be banned from TV and online in October next year, Andrew Gwynne, the health minister, has announced.     The announcement seems oddly low key: in a written ministerial answer, and not coming into effect until October 2025. I suspect this is because someone in 10 Downing Street realises that the policy itself is junk and is looking to postpone it further.    The idea has been around for years, and prime ministers have come and gone as junior ministers have promised to enact a ban, to "protect children from being exposed to less healthy food and drinks".    There is a reason the policy hasn't made it onto the statute book yet, which is that one person's "junk" food is another's "part of a balanced diet".  Written by John Rentoul Quiz question How is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye better known? Answer at the bottom of today's email Support The Independent At The Independent, nobody tells us what to think; we make up our own mind and aren't afraid to do things differently. Like our readers, we value honesty and integrity above outside influences.   With your support, we challenge the status quo, uncover crucial stories, and amplify unheard voices. If you like what we do, do take out a subscription and help support the best quality online-only journalism. SUBSCRIBE: 3 MONTHS FOR FREE SUBSCRIBE: 3 MONTHS FOR FREE Daily briefing Crime minister 'has purse stolen' at annual policing conference Dame Diana Johnson warned of 'epidemic of theft' in speech to police chiefs as her belongings were allegedly stolen Keir Starmer warns 'broken' NHS: no more money without reforms Prime minister vows to take on opponents to change as he warns some changes will be unpopular Disgraced donor Frank Hester gave Tories another £5m days before election was called Donation made after Rishi Sunak condemned Hester's reported remark that Diane Abbott made him 'want to hate all Black women'  What else you need to know today Nigel Farage and Lee Anderson face a crackdown on paid media roles that could end their GB News shows  Labour will end no-fault evictions by next summer, says Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister  I wrote about Keir Starmer's attempt to copy Tony Blair, noting that Deborah Mattinson, his director of strategy, described the tax rise for the NHS in 2003 as her "proudest moment" The Independent View We must give Ukraine the tools it needs to finish the job Politics explained What hope does Labour have of fixing the National Health Service?  What does Lord Darzi say? How will it be put right? Will it work? Sean O'Grady asks the questions...   Read more MOST COMMENTED Tory austerity and shake-ups left NHS in 'critical condition', Lord Darzi's review finds Welcome to the party conference season  The House of Commons goes into recess again  The Commons has completed its two-week September sitting, and will sit next on Monday 7 October.   This newsletter will take a break next week, but will be back for special party conference editions on 23 to 25 September (Labour in Liverpool) and 30 September to 2 October (Conservatives in Birmingham).    The Scottish Nationalists and the Green Party have already held their annual conferences in Edinburgh and Manchester. The Liberal Democrats are in Brighton next week.     Thank you for subscribing to the View from Westminster – and do look at our special offer of a free subscription to The Independent for three months. QUOTATION OF THE DAY "If there's one common theme in what I've done for a living, it's coming in and bringing about change"   Keir Starmer Quiz answer: The Weeknd – the third "e" is missing because there was already a Canadian band called the Weekend The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy notice and cookie policy