The public is divided over whether weight-loss injections such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro should be offered to obese individuals on the NHS, according to a survey by Ipsos Mori, with 37 per cent in favour and 32 per cent opposed.

Unsurprisingly, support for the suggestion increases among people who consider themselves to be overweight or obese.

Interest in take-up on the NHS far outpaces interest in going private, with a quarter of Britons (24 per cent) saying they would be likely to use weight loss injections in the future if provided by the NHS.

However, only 7 per cent would likely pay privately for the treatment at a cost of £180-£220 per month. This increases to 46 per cent for the NHS and 17 per cent for privately among people who consider themselves to be obese.

According to the survey 5 in 10 Britons believe they are overweight or obese, with 28 per cent thinking they are slightly overweight and 16 per cent that they are overweight, while an additional 7 per cent consider themselves obese.

Despite the media coverage, only three in ten Britons (30 per cent) report having heard of weight loss injections. Awareness decreases with age: 44 per cent of 18–34-year-olds are familiar compared to just 19 per cent of those aged 55-75.

The vast majority (79 per cent) do not personally know anyone who has used these injections.

Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,076 Online British adults aged 18-75 between25-28 October 2024. Data were weighted to match the profile of the population.