LEICESTER MERCURY'S FIGHT THE FAT CHALLENGE

Early day motion 699, tabled 8 February 2005 by Keith Vaz (Labour). Signed by 15 members.

That this House welcomes The Leicester Mercury's campaign to help the people of Leicester Fight the Fat Challenge; congratulates the 1,570 individuals form Leicester who have taken up the challenge; notes that over 30,000 deaths a year are caused by obesity in England alone; further notes that a study by the National Audit Office in 2002 estimated that the condition costs the NHS ú500 million a year and that the overall cost to the country is estimated at up to ú7.4 billion a year; and urges local government in the area to help tackle this important issue with a similar initiative.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 2, Conservative 1, DUP 1.