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Bosses at Food Standards Scotland said tackling Scotland s long-standing obesity problem and poor diet was more urgent than ever in the wake of the pandemic THE pandemic must be a “wake up call” to deal with Scotland’s poor diet say regulators who warn that more people die every year from obesity-related diseases than in the whole of the Covid crisis. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) chief executive Geoff Ogle said restrictions such as bans on junk food deals in supermarkets or requiring calorie labelling on restaurant menus would actually benefit hospitality and retail sectors in the long run by reducing sickness among their own staff.
Shoppers on Buchanan Street as non-essential stores reopened on April 26 Picture: Colin Mearns THE value of Scottish retail sales in April was down by 15.6 per cent on the same period of 2019, even though trading was buoyed significantly by the reopening of non-essential stores in the final week of the month, latest industry figures show. The Scottish Retail Consortium survey, published today, shows food sales in April were down 7.2 per cent in value terms on the same month of 2019. Non-food sales, which tend to reflect more discretionary elements of consumer spending, were down by 22.7% in value terms. Comparative figures for 2019, rather than last year, are being used by the SRC to show retail sales relative to the pre-pandemic period.
Kate Forbes challenged with reviving Scotland s economy as Nicola Sturgeon appoints Cabinet top team
The rising SNP star has been handed even more responsibility by the First Minister but faces a tough task in the years ahead.
12:53, 19 MAY 2021
Updated
Kate Forbes will be responsible for reviving Scotland s lagging economy
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