Nesta has used our latest analysis on the economic impact of obesity to calculate new estimates for the potential impact of various policy interventions, using data from our blueprint to halve obesity, which evaluates the impact of different obesity reduction policies.

This analysis appeared in the Independent on 7 September 2025.

Applying the updated economic modelling, we found that our proposal to introduce mandatory health targets for the largest supermarkets would benefit the UK to the tune of £23 billion in savings to the NHS, economic productivity and associated costs, instead of up to £17 billion as we previously understood. The government has announced a version of this policy as part of its healthy food standard, announced in the 10 Year Health Plan published earlier in the summer.

Our proposal to ring-fence £500 million per year to extend access to NICE-recommended weight-loss treatments to those most in need would save £1.4 billion.

Nesta will publish revised updates for all of the policies modelled in our blueprint to halve obesity later in the year.