§ 23. Bob Spink (Castle Point)If he will make a statement on the recent work of the strategy unit. [132954]
§ The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. Douglas Alexander)The strategy unit's role is to conduct long-term strategic and cross-cutting studies of major policy areas, and to 508 promote strategic thinking across Whitehall. Current projects include the misuse of alcohol and the UK fisheries project. A sponsor Minister in the relevant Department provides ministerial leadership for the projects.
§ Bob SpinkWill the unit add to its list of recent longterm strategic reviews an analytical cross-cutting review of pensions policy, to highlight the iniquity and indignity of the mass means-testing of pensioners that results from the Government's policy?
§ Mr. AlexanderPolicies relating to the strategy unit's areas of work are determined by the strategy unit board. I assure the hon. Gentleman that a wide range of policy issues are considered. As for his substantive point about pensions, in my experience as a constituency Member, many people have welcomed a change that has seen a real and significant rise in household incomes for pensioners in communities throughout the country.
§ Mr. Andy Reed (Loughborough)The strategy unit should look seriously at obesity—it is not a problem for some Members of this House, and although I shall not name names, many are trying to do their bit—which is increasingly being discovered among young children in particular. That serious problem is building up and will be a danger to us all. The strategy unit needs to bring together all the different Departments, but in the light of answers to questions that I have asked in this House, there seems to be no cross-cutting initiative. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department of Health, the Department for Education and Skills and the Home Office need to come together to tackle this problem, but I get no sense that that is happening. Will my hon. Friend look at that issue?
§ Mr. AlexanderMy hon. Friend raises an important point that, intriguingly, was echoed on television last Thursday by the right hon. Member for Kensington and Chelsea (Mr. Portillo). I had not previously realised that the right hon. Gentleman was interested in the substantive and important issue of childhood obesity, which needs to be addressed. I will discuss with the Secretary of State for Health the cross-cutting work that is taking place across Government, and I will ask that the Department write to my hon. Friend directly. As he points out, this issue requires the work of more than a single Department and such work must take into account the recreational pursuits and sport necessary for younger people. On that basis, I am happy to ensure that correspondence is forthcoming.