Super Markets.

[hawksley]

Cameron and cronies , announced today that they are going to stop Super Markets, from displaying junk food at checkouts. How has he got the power to do this, yet he has not got the power to stop Bankers bonus, annual rise in power supplies, greedy pension managers, and the rise in petrol prices, he says all these are beyond his control? Petrol prices came down today,yes but watch it creep up again.

[mikey4444]

He would have to define junk food first. But I think there are lots more important things to be done, before this reaches the top of the pile. Perhaps he could start with the energy companies, who are bleeding us all dry.

[youngmafbog]

Bankers bonuses, do I detect a touch of politics of envy?

There is a big difference between telling someone what they can charge, and therefore greatly affect the profit, as opposed to outlawing the siting of a few items.

Greedy pension managers, well more the companies than the managers but I think that too is being addressed.

Petrol prices are determined by commodities markets and the strength of the dollar amongst other things. As great as the Tories are I dont think they have much power over these things. Nice to know you think they do command such greatness though!

Agree, Mickey. Define junk food !

[FredPuli43]

Has he said that he will stop the other things ? I forget what promises he has made.

From a legal point of view, he can stop the junk food display either by having a new Act passed or, more likely, have the relevant minister create a new regulation under some existing Act and sign it into law. Haven't looked, but that's probably how the law about displaying tobacco was created. A lot of the law that governs us is created that way. An Act is passed and one section says that the Secretary of State may make regulations for some defined purpose under it . But, as said, the draftsman will have to define 'junk food'.

[douglas9401]

Well, I suppose he has to have something to do to fill up his day.
It'll make an interesting chapter in that slim volume that'll be his memoirs, 'My Crisps and Chocolate Triumph'.

[TWR]

He has not got his fingers in their pies Hawsley, he's a weak arrogant prat, thank you all for voting for him and his crowd, just to add, REMPLOY closed their last factory in Blackburn last Frid, thank you all for voting for these evil bads, are you proud of yourselves, You are now paying the price.

[youngmafbog]

Hmmm, not much thought in that post. Try opening your eyes to the world.

[starone]

Oh, for heaven's sake TWR, we didn't all vote for him!

[EDDIE51]

TWR a bit harsh, I did not vote Conservative and I drought a majority of ABers did either. The cuts would have had to be made no matter which party was elected. This is a world wide problem not just UK.

[emmie]

they don't put junk food on the front of the checkouts, unless you mean sweets, chocolates, and they have long been doing that as they know children are the ones who will clamour for such treats. Junk food if you mean burgers are in chill cabinets away from the main checkout.

[anotheoldgit]

Introduce ration cards for 'junk food'.

[jake-the-peg]

//How has he got the power to do this?//

Er same way as he has the power to restrict how where and when cigarettes and alcohol are sold.

'Junk' food is a bit trickier - easy to define cigarettes and booze but 'junk food' is a bit trickier

[jno]

this is a bit trickier, though, jake. Cigarettes (afaik) can't now be displayed at all, which is easy enough to legislate for if you've got the will. But how do you define "at checkouts"? (Let alone, as you say, defining junk foods.)

[woofgang]

I am really not sure how this would help, even if they can decide what junk food consists of? (Cadbury's yes, Hotel Chocolat no????? lol) It can still be displayed at other places...I mean are we not grownups?

[anotheoldgit]

/// Cameron and cronies ///

Pity we don't have an Answerbank Speaker, because I am sure that if we did, he would soon stand up to declare that language such as this will not be tolerated on AnswerBank.

http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-10-23/speaker-ticks-off-cameron-for-using-the-word-conman/

[B00]

The thing is, he won't only be taking on the supermarkets with this. He'll also be taking on the relevant food companies who pay supermarkets to display their products at specific locations in the store.

[rockyracoon]

I've never seen what I perceive to be junk food anywhere near the checkouts, in fact the only thing I do see are sim cards for mobile phones.

If people want to buy these foods they will while they are cheap and available, walking a few extra steps into the store will make no difference.

[dave50]

It's a bit naive to think government can control prices of any goods or services that are supplied by a private company. As far as bonuses go, how will a law outlawing them have any beneficial effect to the ordinary man in the street?

[B00]

you'll be surprised what a customer will impulse buy when in a queue in a store RR.

[rockyracoon]

Lol, maybe Boo, I doubt they buy too many sim cards though.

[jno]

very true, B00. I'm amazed at the stuff I've acquired between entering the checkout queue and leaving it. It just jumps into my basket.

aog, the speaker only tells MPs they mustn't be rude about other MPs. They can say what they like about the voters: parliamentary privilege. The AB rules already tell you not to be rude to other ABers, and I'm sure you comply in every particular.