Labour ‘Nanny state’ wants to ban birthday cakes from nurseries | Politics | News
Labor has been accused of creating a “nanny state” after recommending a ban on birthday cakes in primary and nursery schools. New guidance published by the Department for Education encourages parents to choose healthy options instead of sweets or cake to celebrate their child’s birthday.
Parents and Conservatives have criticized the dietary guidance, which reportedly came into force this term. Primary schools and nurseries have been told to promote “healthy eating habits” in advice from the Department for Education’s Education Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), it is claimed. This follows an NHS study published last year that found one in eight children aged 2 to 10 in England are obese.
The new guidance recommends parents bring fruit plates or non-edible options, such as bubble sets or stickers, to celebrate their little one’s birthday. TelegramThis spoiled the story.
Shadow Health Secretary Stuart Andrew said Labor “seems more focused on performative, petty policies” rather than “addressing the real challenges facing the NHS”.
“Families don’t need the food of the party that is the state police, they need leadership that takes public health seriously, and only the Conservatives can provide that,” he said.
A primary school told parents this week it was following the new guidance.
“Due to guidance on healthy eating, we are no longer allowed to give children birthday cakes or sweet treats,” it said in its communication to parents, seen by The Telegraph.
Parents are reportedly advised to bring bubbles, fruit stickers or a book as stated in the guide. One mother who discussed the decision online said she would be “pissed off” if the same thing was done at her children’s nursery.
She wrote: “We need to educate parents and children about healthy eating, but banning cakes and desserts is beyond your pay grade. They are now going through kids’ lunch boxes and confiscating things they think are unhealthy. We are becoming the nanny state.”
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of instigating a “nanny situation” during his time in No 10.
The introduction of the Online Safety Act and plans to phase out smoking and ban the sale of energy drinks to children under 16 are also among the moves criticized.
