Dozens of health experts and charities have written to the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, calling for a ban on school teaching resources funded by the food, drink and gambling industries. The letter, signed by 58 specialists and organisations including the Obesity Health Alliance, the British Medical Association and the World Cancer Research Fund, warns that such materials misrepresent evidence about diets, alcohol and betting.
The experts argue that companies are gaining “corporate reach” in classrooms through sponsored lesson packs and information sheets, which they say contain misleading and harmful content. Examples cited include a drama production sponsored by Diageo that omits certain alcohol-related cancer risks, and educational materials from Gamble Aware that teach students how to use betting slips. The letter also notes that some sixth-form colleges host branded outlets such as Costa Coffee and Starbucks, which sell sugary products.
Chris van Tulleken, professor at University College London, said: “We wouldn’t let big tobacco teach children about smoking. So why are we allowing the alcohol, gambling and junk food industries into classrooms?” Dr May van Schalkwyk of the University of Edinburgh added that such programmes serve commercial interests and shift responsibility for harm onto individuals rather than industries.
The coalition points to the Republic of Ireland, which in 2022 instructed schools to avoid materials funded by parties with conflicts of interest. They want the UK government to adopt a similar approach.
In response, Gamble Aware said its programmes are independently designed and evaluated, while Diageo defended its “Smashed” initiative as having educated hundreds of thousands of young people. Drinkaware said it no longer sponsors school materials, noting that the programme referenced in the letter was wound down in 2019.
