Conservatives would blacklist marketers to protect children

Companies that market irresponsibly to children will be bannedfrom winning future government contracts for three years if theConservative Party wins the next General Election. David Cameronannounced plans to change the UK's marketing laws today.

The Tory leader said that he wants to help families protectchildren from "premature sexualisation and excessivecommercialisation."

"I want to make Britain the most family-friendly country in theworld," said Cameron. "A key part of helping families and mendingour broken society is making sure that business is responsible inhow it markets and advertises products to children."

“Social pressure is the best way to combat irresponsiblebehaviour and encourage responsibility, and we will make it easierfor parents to mobilise against campaigns and products that theythink are inappropriate, but there is a role for Government too,"he said.

“We will ban the most irresponsible marketing techniques andintroduce penalties for agencies caught flouting the rules –banning them from winning Government contracts for three years,"said Cameron. "A Conservative Government would take the toughaction needed to help families and build a society in which we stoptreating children as adults.”

According to a statement from the Party, the proposalsinclude:

• Banning the most manipulative marketing techniques aimed atyoung people;
• Strengthening the regulatory framework;
• Giving people the power to make complaints; and
• Banning irresponsible companies from winning future governmentcontracts.