The NHS soup diet

Thousands of people will receive a weight loss plan for soup and shakes at the NHS to combat the rise in type 2 diabetes. A successful low-calorie diet and lifestyle plan has already been implemented. The government said the programme will now be expanded to reach 5,000 more patients in 10 areas.

The most common form of diabetes, type 2, is caused by problems with the way the insulin hormone regulates glucose in the body. The condition can increase the risk of serious eye, heart and nerve problems and is usually associated with overweight.

It is estimated that diabetes costs the NHS £10 billion a year, while almost one in 20 prescriptions prescribed by GPs are for the treatment of diabetes.

A record 2 million people in England are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, increasing their chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke, the NHS said.