Is it just fast food – or is it social breakdown on a plate? | Faiza Shaheen

Takeaway outlets are proliferating and life expectancy has stalled. This clear correlation is the sign of a society at a tipping point

" Faiza Shaheen is the director of the Centre of Labour and Social Studies

There's something fishy going on. In the last 10 days we've heard that life expectancy has stalled, crime rates have increased, fast-food takeaways are multiplying in deprived areas and household debt has risen sharply. What's the connection? I hate to sound apocalyptic about it, but taken together they suggest Britain has reached - if not surpassed - a tipping point.

Related: Fast food England: how many takeaways are near you?

Related: Large rise in takeaway shops highlights dominance of fast food in deprived areas

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