Get–one–free deals 'boost waste'

The government has criticised buy-one get-one-free offers at supermarkets for increasing the amount of food thrown away by British shoppers.

Environment minister Joan Ruddock told MPs the deals were deeply unhelpful and half-price offers were preferable. She also criticised the culture of fast fashion where cheap clothes are treated as disposable.

A third of all food bought in the UK is estimated to be thrown away - about six million tonnes a year. In a Commons debate on supermarkets Ms Ruddock praised them for their co-operation on climate change and waste issues.