EXCLUSIVEDo YOU think fat jabs will get jobless people back to work? MailOnline gets verdict on Keir Starmer's plans to give unemployed free 'wonder' drug
Labour is saying that offering jobless Brits free jabs of the controversial miracle weight loss drug Ozempic could ease the NHSs burdens and encourage people back into work.
Labour is saying that offering jobless Brits free jabs of the controversial miracle weight loss drug Ozempic could ease the NHSs burdens and encourage people back into work.
But when MailOnline took to the streets to ask people what they thought, some said it contributes to fatphobia and doesnt tackle the root causes of obesity.
Some slammed it as offensive and lazy on the governments part, but another said it seems like good policy but it needs to be done in a good way and others said theres no quick fix.
One out-of-work woman said she worries job centres may push unemployed people into considering the injection and it doesnt address the reasons behind the problem, such as healthy food is very expensive.
Karin Metcalfe, who is a chef from Newcastle, said she thought Ozempic is more of a designer thing for the rich.
Karin Metcalfe, 61, who is a chef from Newcastle, said she thought Ozempic is more of a designer thing for the rich but thinks it could help reduce the burden on the NHS
BRIXTON: Daniel Ames, 50, thinks its irresponsible if the government go ahead with the plans
BRIXTON: Ella, 28, and Miles, 31, disagree with it and think it could contribute to fatphobia
The 61-year-old said why not when asked if she supports the government plans, because people just sit on their as**.
But I think it could offend people. The NHS is stretched as it is - I back it 100 per cent.
Daniel Ames from Brixton hadnt heard of Ozempic but said: I dont think its a good idea.
The 50-year-old continued: You can lose weight by other means, you dont need to take drugs to lose weight. I dont think the government should be encouraging people to do that, its irresponsible. I doubt it will help the NHS.
I dont know if its offensive but its quite sad, quite lazy. Theres a million different ways to get people back to work. I dont see how weight loss has anything to do with that. Why cant someone be overweight and work?
Ella, who works in visual merchandising, said weight is separate to health and BMI is so out of date.
BRIXTON: Max, 25, said offering it to obese people who are unemployed is disrespectful
Ozempic and its sister drug Wegovy work by triggering the body to bind to a receptor called the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a protein that triggers the release of hormones in the brain which keep the stomach full and tell the body to stop eating and avoid cravings
Factory worker Jackie Gillespie thinks its wrong and it shouldnt just be for non-workers
The 28-year-old said: What if it pushes up the costs for people who need it and have diabetes? Its also adding to a negative view of fat people, which I dont agree with.
Its adding to fatphobia, you can feel healthy and happy in your body. People already go to their GPs and instantly feel targeted for their weight.
Theres a lot of root causes - people might be happy being overweight, some people have thyroid issues, or have an issue with their relationship with food.
I think investing in that is more important than just giving someone an injection.
Its an easy thing to say youre overweight thats why youre not working.
A lot of women have issues with how they look - you can see in America people just buying it as a diet drug. I think it could do more harm than good.
[If people fall ill after taking the drug], doesnt that mean they might not be able to go to work as well? Its not really fighting the problem.
Her boyfriend Miles, who works in sales, said those who are struggling to find work might welcome it.
BRIXTON: Amy, an American student on her semester abroad, thinks people will be offended
Eric Whelan, 56, a former postman, said theres no such thing as a quick fix
Retired manufacturing manager Ken Finney, 70, said: If you want to lose weight, do it yourself. Exercise and watch your calorie intake and go from there. Why do you need a drug?
But the 31-year-old added: Theres a lot of stigma around Ozempic anyway, because of Hollywood. When I first saw it I thought it was a joke. But if it works, maybe its not a bad thing.
Max, 25, said he has heard of Ozempic but thought offering it to obese people who are unemployed is disrespectful.
He said its saying people are unemployed because theyre fat.
The student added: Giving them a drug to make them skinnier doesnt really seem like it would make them more employable. If I was unemployed, I wouldnt take it so well.
Its quite a new drug, I dont think its as well thought out as it should be. If its been cleared by the NHS Im sure its fine but I wouldnt take it.
Retired factory worker Jackie Gillespie thinks its wrong.
A lot of people who are on the door cant get it but need it, but its not for them.
The 70-year-old said its unfair and shouldnt just be for non-workers.
Look at what this government, what theyve done to pensioners. A lot of people are regretting voting them in.
Eric Whelan, 56, a former postman, only heard about Ozempic today. He said: Do it properly, injections arent going to work. Give them a gym membership. Theres no such thing as a quick fix.
Amy, who is an American student on her semester abroad, said: I know what Ozempic is but I think there there are better options.
We dont really know about the long-term effects yet. It might help but if it turns out theres something wrong... Im not sure. Its their choice.
People may be a little offended.
BRIXTON: Ed doubts people will take the drug with the intention of getting back to work
BIRMINGHAM: Personal trainer Luke Randall, 28, says he disagrees with it if people are only taking it to lose weight and not to change their lifestyle
BIRMINGHAM: Harry Leach, 32, thinks the best way to lose weight is to do exercise and eating healthier
Retired manufacturing manager Ken Finney, 70, said: If you want to lose weight, do it yourself. Exercise and watch your calorie intake and go from there. Why do you need a drug?
If youre fit for work, stop the benefits. Simple as that. Its too easy for them today.
Ive put everything into the system and I get my winter allowance stopped.
Xien Ding, who is a freelancer, asked: I havent heard of Ozempic - what is it?
She went on to tell MailOnline: I feel it is a bit tricky - I understand if you have a serious mental health issue then the support will be helpful, but some people have drug addiction issues. They need to be able to identify that and give support.
The NHS has a lack of employees and working a long period of time and not enough rest, I think thats the issue. It wont solve the problem from the root. But some help is better than no help.
Passerby Ed doubts people will take the drug with the intention of getting back to work and will just take it to lose weight.
He told MailOnline: I think its a very good idea but whether people will use it for that purpose... people will just use it for weight loss.
It possibly might reduce the burden on the NHS because theres lots of health issues like diabetes and obesity. If it reduced those burdens then yeah I think its a good idea.
I can see why it might be offensive. When I first heard about it I thought why unemployed people why not people who are overweight or need it.
Is it offensive...its a fine line. Thats stepping into the reason behind it. Is it about employment, is it about health? They need to be clear on that.
If theres health benefits and thats very good but some people would say it looks quite desperate.
BIRMINGHAM: Nigel, 53, left his feelings in no doubt as he said it was ridiculous
Army veteran Lee Webb who now runs Bodyfirst PT in Bedfordshire, blasted Labours plans
But a nursery employee who isnt in work currently due to an injury said its contradictory.
She said: Its good to offer choices to people. But when youre at a job centre you can get pushed into doing things.
I think its strange. If it works, its great because the NHS is overloaded. But its strange to be offering a synthetic alternative to being healthy, exercising, good food.
Most people who are unemployed eat badly because eating well is very expensive, they dont have the money. There are better ways.
People might get offended but some people will take it. It depends on their circumstances. It feels a bit out of the blue though.
Meanwhile, in Birmingham, personal trainer Luke Randall, 28, says it is a good idea only if people are willing to do the work to have a better lifestyle.
If they are only taking it to lose weight and not get any benefits from it... I disagree with it, he told MailOnline.
Harry Leach, 32, thinks the best way to lose weight is to do exercise and eating healthier, but said it was up to the individual if they wanted to take something like that [Ozempic].
But Nigel, 53, who did not give his surname, thought it was ridiculous.
I just dont think injecting people with stuff is the right way to go, he said.
Army veteran Lee Webb who now runs Bodyfirst PT in Bedfordshire, blasted Labours plans and said: This policy is a complete waste of money. Its just a quick fix and a lazy way to solving Britains obesity crisis.
Super-fit gym owner Dan Fallon, a former Royal Navy physical training instructor from Portsmouth, Hampshire, told MailOnline: This is so disappointing. I mean, I get it. I do get the problem.
But since I left the Navy Ive been flying the flag of physical activity. Inactivity is the main problem. People dont understand the concept of how physical activity elevates your mood.
When your mood is elevated, your choices are better. Its a scientific fact. So just get people moving. Stop trying to find a silver bullet thats not going to solve anything at all. Its just going to make the problem even worse.
