§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, as part of their Health Impact Assessment, they will collect information showing 4WA what percentage of sufferers from malnutrition are (a) on means tested Social Security benefits; and (b) disentitled to means tested benefits to which their means would otherwise have entitled them. [HL3983]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)We have no plans to collect the information requested. The government programme for monitoring nutritional status has shown that although most people are adequately nourished, there is a persistent rise in obesity. Eating a healthy and balanced diet and keeping physically active help people to maintain a healthy body weight.
The Government's Action Report Reducing Health Inequalities details what is the most comprehensive and broad programme of work ever taken to tackle health inequalities in this country.