Question reference: S6W-24250
- Asked by: Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 22 December 2023
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Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 16 January 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCD), in light of a recent report by a group of cross-party MSPs and NCD Alliance Scotland calling for further action on NCD prevention.
Answer
The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to our Public Health agenda as well as the range of priority actions that we have set out in relation to various health harming products, including tobacco, alcohol and less healthy food.
We know people living in poverty have poorer health outcomes and are at a higher risk of NCDs. In 2022-23, we invested an estimated £3 billion across a range of programmes targeted at low income households - with £1.25 billion directly benefitting children. This includes over £213 million on the Scottish Child Payment, over £169 million on School Meals, and £33.5 million Whole Family Wellbeing Funding.
In addition, we recently consulted on increasing the current rate of Minimum Unit Price from 50 pence per unit to 65 pence. We have consulted as part of a UK-wide consultation on raising the age of smoking and further restrictions on vapes. We are also committed to legislation to restrict the promotion of less healthy food and drink where they are sold to the public. Our new and ambitious Cancer Strategy and Cancer Action Plan for Scotland was published in June 2023, which outlines 11 ambitions and 8 outcomes.