Labour plans to introduce 'supervised toothbrushing for children in free breakfast clubs'

Labour said it planned to introduce supervised toothbrushing for young children in free breakfast clubs as part of a national health initiative.

Sir Keir Starmer said tooth decay should become something "consigned to the history books" while announcing his party's plans to boost dental service so children can secure appointments when required.

A previous announcement regarding supervised toothbrushing was criticised by some teaching unions, with leaders saying it is "not the role of teachers to be making sure children brush their teeth each day".

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However, the party has now said the "targeted" national supervised toothbrushing programme would be combined with "fully funded breakfast clubs" in every primary school. Labour added that the plan will allow "every child to start the day with a healthy breakfast and parents are able to get to work".

Speaking before a visit to a leading children’s hospital, Sir Keir said: “Tooth decay, stunted growth and stalling life expectancy should be consigned to the history books, but instead they’re the reality of Tory Britain.

“The biggest casualty of the short-term, sticking-plaster politics of the last 14 years are our nation’s children. My Labour government will turn this around.

“Healthy, happy children is not a nice to have, it’s a basic right, with economic urgency. We want the next generation to be chasing their dreams, not a dentist appointment. They should be aspiring to reach their potential, not reach a doctor.

“Labour will end the scandal of children being held back by poor health and regional inequalities by slashing waits for mental health treatment and hospital appointment, putting