GOVERNMENT inaction to tackle food poverty is condemning thousands of children to a life of ill health and costing the NHS billions, a committee found today.

The way Britain produces, manufactures, sells and consumes food is a barrier to healthy eating, a report published by the House of Lords food, poverty, health and environment committee has warned, noting that the poorest children are the hardest hit.

It adds that putting pressure on the food industry to reduce sugar, salt, unhealthy fats and calories in processed food could save the NHS billions currently spent treating obesity and avoidable diet-related diseases.