In my upbringing, I faced challenging circumstances with the odds stacked against me. Growing up in the East End in a single-parent household meant living in a home with basic amenities, faulty electrical systems, and occasional pest issues. Despite the tough times, we were fortunate to have a council flat, supportive teachers, and close family members.

This support enabled me to overcome the challenges and reach a position at the Cabinet table, where I now have the privilege of assisting others facing similar struggles. Currently, the statistics paint a grim picture – obesity among four and five-year-olds has reached unprecedented levels.

Primary-aged children frequently end up in hospitals for tooth extractions due to decay, with the most disadvantaged children experiencing the poorest health outcomes. These children are raised in damp living conditions, consuming low-quality food, residing in temporary housing, struggling to settle in school, and going to bed hungry.

The question arises: what kind of future are we shaping for these children if we allow these conditions to persist? Our children face the prospect of shorter, less healthy, and less happy lives.

To address these issues, I am introducing the next phase of our efforts to improve children’s health by extending the soft drinks industry levy to include sugary milkshakes, flavored milks, and milk substitutes. This initiative aims to promote weight loss in children rather than generating revenue.

The original levy has proven effective, with a significant reduction in sugar consumption from soft drinks and a decline in the number of children requiring teeth removal. Regrettably, the current government seems more apologetic about their public health track record than proud of their accomplishments in this area.

Labour remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing children’s health. This latest measure is projected to eliminate around four million calories per day from children’s diets and reduce obesity cases by 14,000 annually.

This is just one facet of our strategy to combat obesity and child poverty. Labour is implementing various initiatives, including providing breakfast clubs, expanding free school meal programs, restricting junk food advertising, regulating youth vaping, and improving air quality for children.

Every child deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their family’s financial situation. Labour is striving to level the playing field and give every child an equal opportunity for a healthy start in life.