Starmer to embrace ‘nanny state’ with plan for toothbrushing in schools

Labour leader hits out at perceived criticism as he attacks Tory record on child health

• Britain has suffered terribly under these Tories, especially our children. The only word for it is neglect | Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer has said he is up for the fight" of defending the nanny state" as he announced plans to improve child health under a Labour government, including supervised toothbrushing in schools.

The Labour leader said that children were probably the biggest casualty" of the Tories' sticking-plaster approach to politics over the past 14 years, adding that, if the government were a parent, they could be charged with neglect.