Skip to content
Search AI Powered
Please enter at least 3 characters.

Latest Stories

New UK scheme offers incentives and rewards for healthy behaviours

AS part of its world-leading healthy weight strategy, the UK will launch a new pilot scheme to explore the best ways to incentivise adults to make healthier choices.

The six-month pilot is expected to launch in January 2022, and will focus on incentives and rewards for healthy behaviours, including increasing physical activity and eating better, a statement said. 


Almost two-thirds of adults in England are living with excess weight or obesity and overweight related illnesses cost the NHS £6 billion a year.

The scale of the challenge has been highlighted by Covid-19 disproportionately affecting people who are overweight, the statement added.

According to the statement, the government is searching for a partner to help run the scheme. The successful supplier will partner with a range of organisations who can provide incentives which may include vouchers, merchandise, discounts, and gift cards to reward people for making healthy choices.

"This government is committed to improving the health of everyone and we want to make it easier for people to increase their physical activity and eat better," said public health minister Jo Churchill.

"The health Incentives scheme will help us understand the role that rewards and incentives could play, in helping people lead healthy lives. This aims to help level up the health of our nation. This scheme further demonstrates the dedication in our strategy to encourage people to lead healthier, happier lives."

Sir Keith Mills, who has pioneered reward programmes through Airmiles and Nectar points, is advising the health Incentives programme and will support the government in leveraging the very best innovation.

Sir Mills said: "The health Incentives scheme could be a vital tool in the government’s plans to tackle health inequalities and encourage healthier behaviours.

""This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses, the public and third sectors to come together and deliver a new and exciting way of supporting people to healthier habits. This is why we are calling for interested partners to come forward with their innovative ideas and help play a pivotal part in the government’s plans to improve public health."

The health Incentives scheme was announced as part of a £100 million package of government support to help those living with obesity.

The Office for Health Promotion, launching fully later this year, will lead national efforts to level up the health of the nation by continuing to support people living with obesity, supporting mental health and promoting physical activity.

For more details-healthincentives@dhsc.gov.uk

More For You

Tulip Siddiq
Siddiq is accused of helping her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, secure a deal with Russia for the Rooppur power plant in 2013. (Photo credit: tulipsiddiq.com)

Downing Street weighs replacements for Tulip Siddiq amid ethics inquiry

SENIOR Labour officials are reportedly considering potential replacements for Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq amid an ethics investigation into her ties to Bangladesh’s ousted government.

Although prime minister Keir Starmer has publicly expressed full confidence in Siddiq, sources told The Times that some of his allies have informally discussed possible successors. A No 10 spokesperson dismissed claims of a formal shortlist as “completely untrue.”

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-snow-getty

People drive their cars past a landscape covered in snow and along the Snake pass road, in the Peak district, northern England. (Photo: Getty Images)

UK records coldest January night in 15 years at -17.3 degrees Celsius

THE UK recorded its coldest January night in 15 years as temperatures dropped to -17.3 degrees Celsius in Altnaharra, Sutherland, by 9 pm on Friday.

This is the lowest January temperature since 2010, when Altnaharra hit -22.3 degrees Celsius on 8 January, The Guardian reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chandra Arya

Arya, who represents Nepean in Ottawa and was born in India's Karnataka, made the announcement on X. (Photo: X/@AryaCanada)

Liberal MP Chandra Arya declares bid for prime minister of Canada

CANADA’s Asian MP Chandra Arya has announced his candidacy for the prime ministership, just hours before the Liberal Party confirmed that its next leader will be selected on 9 March.

Arya’s announcement comes days after prime minister Justin Trudeau declared his decision to step down while continuing in office until a new leader is chosen.

Keep ReadingShow less
Exclusive: 'Starmer must fill NHS staffing defecit'
Dr Chaand Nagpaul

Exclusive: 'Starmer must fill NHS staffing defecit'

LABOUR's latest announcement to cut NHS waiting lists, while welcome, does not go far enough, the former leader of the doctors’ union, Chaand Nagpaul has told Eastern Eye.

Prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, unveiled his plans on Monday (6). He pledged Labour would set up more NHS hubs in community locations in England, and the service would make greater use of the private sector to help meet the challenge.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lisa-Nandy-Getty

The culture secretary retains powers to refer the case to the Competition and Markets Authority, which could trigger an investigation into press freedom concerns linked to Abu Dhabi’s involvement. (Photo: Getty Images)

Calls grow for Lisa Nandy to end Telegraph ownership stalemate

THE SALE of The Telegraph newspaper has drawn widespread political calls for culture secretary Lisa Nandy to intervene and end the prolonged uncertainty surrounding its ownership.

The newspaper has been in limbo for 20 months after an auction process initiated by RedBird IMI, an Abu Dhabi-backed investment fund, failed to secure a suitable buyer.

Keep ReadingShow less