Written question asked by Andy King (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 26 February 2003. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 February 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimates have been made of the costs to the NHS of (a) the potential lifetime ill health of a low birthweight baby, (b) obesity and (c) indoor winter temperatures below 15 degrees centigrade. - Including figure for obesity and fact that information is not collected on the other costs.

Answer: Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates have been made of the costs to the NHS of (a) the potential lifetime ill health of a low birthweight baby, (b) obesity and (c) indoor winter temperatures below 15 degrees centigrade. [96288] Ms Blears: The National Audit Office report, `Tackling Obesity in England', puts the cost of obesity to the National Health Service at £0.5 billion a year. Information is not collected on the other costs. Source: Tackling Obesity in England Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General HC220 Session 2000-2001: 15 February 2001

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 96288; 400 c629-30W;400 c621-2W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Costs Health Expenditure NHS Obesity Temperature Low birthweight babies
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk