McDonalds has been told to cut calories in its sandwiches by 20 per cent as part of a crackdown on unhealthy foods

Curbs on junk food adverts and two-for-one deals for biscuits and cakes are being drawn up in Downing Street as Theresa May prepares for a U-turn on obesity, The Times has learnt.

Action to clamp down on unhealthy food is expected in the summer after the prime minister’s team has reconsidered her earlier decision to rule out restrictions on advertising and promotions. Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, has been pushing for tougher measures and now has willing allies in the No 10 policy team who are circulating options in Whitehall, it is understood. Fiona Hill, Mrs May’s former joint chief of staff who quit last year, is said to have once boasted about “saving Tony the Tiger”, the Frosties mascot.

The proposed crackdown will delight