All those who enjoy grease laden takeaways 3 or 4 times a week or that extra laddoo with their chai need not feel guilty anymore.

In radical new plans, the NHS will effectively pay out cash, vouchers or prizes when people lose weight. It seems human nature is that fickle and easily swayed.

Give us a cash incentive and all of a sudden we are bought.

We all mocked the Dubai government when obese people who lost weight were rewarded with gold for every KG they shed.

As nonsensical as this plan sounds, studies have shown that people who were given money after meeting weight loss targets were much more successful than those who had no incentive.

With 61.9% of adults in England labelled obese or overweight, and with this condition costing the UK some £6.4bn, this plan is either bad economics, or we are in a Germany style economic mirage.

Which begs the question, why should people be rewarded for being fat?

Being fat is a personal choice. As is smoking. As is drinking.

Why not decide all citizens need to conform to a regimented ideal of beautiful and have all our plastic surgery paid for too.

And what if people lose weight, then gain it again, and then lose it again.

Does that warrant a bonus amount paid out?

The NHS said, “Put bluntly, as the nation's waistline keeps piling on the pounds, we're piling on billions of pounds in future taxes just to pay for preventable illnesses.”

So in the meantime you can sit at home, watch Indian dramas, eat pakoras and make money. Mohammed Ashfaq, a taxi driver said,“I don’t have time to go to the gym.

“I work really unsociable hours.

“I spend all my working time seated.

“And the only food I can eat is takeaways. They are cheap, quick and tasty.

“This initiative is great.

“I always said I would only bother going on a diet if someone paid me.

“This scheme is perfect.”

Perhaps the government can come up with a cash incentive to stop churning out risible ideas.