The obesity public service agreement (PSA) target is jointly owned by the Department, the Department for Education and Skills and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in recognition that delivery will depend on a joined up effort across Government.
The three Departments are working on six fronts: to change population attitudes towards eating and activity; helping children to be active and eat healthily; supporting targeted local-level obesity interventions in children; raising awareness of the importance of healthy weight to children and parents; working with local partners on delivery; and developing the knowledge base.
There are a number of mechanisms to ensure that the Departments are working effectively in partnership. Ministers, and also permanent secretaries, who are responsible for the PSA target have held regular meetings to monitor progress and identify areas for action.
The target is co-ordinated by a cross-Government team, led by a cross-Government programme manager and senior officials who are the senior responsible officers for each Department. The PSA programme board brings in delivery chain partners and senior officials from other Government Departments beyond the target-holding Departments.