Coalition to 'nudge' poorer Britons into taking up healthier lifestyles

Deprived communities were today put at the centre of a government plan to boost public health.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said helping the country's poorest people to adopt healthier lifestyles was a priority.

The White Paper on public health, published today, outlines how councils are to be put in charge of encouraging healthier lifestyles. Local public health directors will be moved out of the NHS and into local government. A ringfenced pot of NHS money will be set aside to help.

Mr Lansley said the Government will work with employers through a Public Health Responsibility Deal to be introduced next year, which will give consumers better information about food. There will also be a drive to reformulate food to reduce salt content.

Mr Lansley said a new body, Public Health England, will oversee health protection from 2012. It will take over responsibilities currently undertaken by the Health Protection Agency and the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse.

The Government aims to take a "less intrusive" approach and "nudge" people towards healthier behaviour rather than restrict their choices.

Incentives include vouchers for half-price swimming, reduced-rate gym sessions and healthy food and drink. Children will get vouchers for walking to school.