Esther McVey, who opposed plans to scrap Buy One Get One Free offers has welcomed the announcement the proposals have been kicked into the long grass.
The Tatton MP said the policy was wrong, ill thought through and now more than ever, any savings customers could make were needed.
She had opposed the move since it was first announced in 2020 and had raised the matter repeatedly with ministers in the Department of Health, the Prime Minister and contributed to debates in Parliament calling for a re-think.
Ms McVey said: “I am delighted Government has listened and this policy will not be introduced as planned. I was against this from the start and made my views known at the highest level. People need to be free to make their own choices and that includes taking advantage of any BOGOF offer or any other offer that may be available. It is not for Government to dictate what people should or should not buy or lecture them on food choices.
“Given the increase in food prices and general rise in cost of living these offers are extremely important and I think the news they will still be available will be widely welcomed by many families and shoppers.”
Banning BOGOF and other offers was part of a wider strategy announced in July 2020 aimed at tackling childhood obesity. Other measures included forcing shops and supermarkets to remove foods high in fats, sugar, and salt from prominent places, such as by the checkouts or near entrances.
At the time of the original announcement, the Food and Drink Federation's chief scientific officer Kate Halliwell said, “removing these promotions will add to the household's food bill”.
A survey also found one in four families feared they would struggle to feed their household without BOGOF offers.
