A government-commissioned report has stoked up the debate on how to tackle Britain's growing public health crisis.

Derek Wanless outlined his latest recommendations to ministers following his earlier report on the funding of the National Health Service.

Government Response: Department of Health

John Reid, health secretary  said: "I have already made clear the high priority the government attaches to public health by announcing I will publish a White Paper on the way forward later this year. Derek's report is an important contribution to that debate. We will build on it when we launch our formal public consultation next week. After many years of discussion, the key challenge now is to draw up a plan of action and implement it."

Party Response: Conservatives

Tim Yeo, shadow health secretary, said: "Having ignored public health for the last six years, I am delighted that the Wanless report has challenged the government to tackle the country’s public health problems now.

"I am also pleased that the report recognised that there are frustrations, which we have long been articulating, about the lack of comprehensive, cross-departmental action to address public health issues and that the government’s approach has been fragmented and ineffective.

"Last summer, the Conservative Party called for a more joined-up approach to tackle the country’s public health problems.  We hope that this will now happen but the signs are not good – in the last week we have had four different public health announcements from four separate government departments. For the sake of the nation’s health, the government must work together."

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

Richard Ali, BRC director of food policy, said: "Diet is a matter of personal choice and consumers cannot be forced to lead healthier lives.