The UK government announced plans to introduce a ban on junk food from 9pm and a total ban on paid-for online advertising by October 2025.

The Prime Minister has also pledged a number of other measures as part of the drive to move “from disease to prevention” of ill health.

A ban on energy drinks for under-16s is expected to be put before parliament next month and supervised toothbrushing will be introduced for pre-school children later this year, writes The Telegraph.

With an unbridled form of over-paternalism, Starmer and co are going to save the ailing NHS. Personal responsibility and freedom will be consigned to the dustbin.

In a speech on the future of the NHS, Sir Keir said:

– For the last ten years we have gone round and round in circles. We’ve done short-term measures to get the NHS through the winter crises – because there’s one every year, only bigger than the one the year before – and we never do the long-term,” Starmer said in the speech.

– I know that some of the prevention measurs will be controversial, but I am prepared to be brave, even when there is vocal opposition. So, no, some of our changes won’t be popular everywhere, but I want to do what’s right for the NHS, the economy and our children.

Lack of investment, top-down reorganisation and the pandemic are cited as reasons why the 76-year-old health service – which has been the pride of the British people – is now broken.

– What’s required is the courage to deliver long-term reform – major surgery, not just sticking a plaster on,” reads part of the speech, which was announced in advance.

– The NHS is at a crossroads and we have a choice to make about how to meet increased demand. Increased harm to labour to meet the ever-increasing costs of an ageing population or reform to secure the future, Starmer writes, before pointing to one of the choices. (NTB-AFP-Reuters)

Starmer blames the Conservatives for the miserable state of the NHS, which is not unreasonable, as the Toru party had actually been in power for 14 years before Starmer took over.

Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne said the government will honour its promise to restrict junk food advertising on TV and online.
In a written statement to MPs, he said:

– The country wants to see our broken NHS repaired. Our health mission makes it clear that this requires a prevention revolution, where we tackle the causes of preventable diseases and reduce demand for healthcare.

Sir Keir has already said that the government is considering introducing a ban on smoking in pub gardens. This is in addition to measures to make it illegal for anyone born after 2009 to buy cigarettes, which was originally planned by the previous government.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is also expected to ban disposable vapourisers as part of efforts to tackle the “scourge of teenage vaping”, is expected to be laid before Parliament in a matter of weeks.

Starmer: I know the measures will be controversial

Thursday, Starmer said ministers were considering further measures to combat obesity and unhealthy diets, which will form part of a ten-year plan for the NHS, due to be presented next year.

More measures are under consideration, the Prime Minister said.

– We need to move to the preventative model. I am absolutely convinced of that, and it will be part of the ten-year plan.

Speaking at the King’s Fund annual conference in London, Starmer said he had been shocked to learn that tooth extraction is the leading cause of hospitalisation for children aged six to ten years old.</p

– It’s a very preventable disease, but of course it comes down to diet and a healthy lifestyle.

– We need to get into that space because we’ve got more and more diseases and we’re living longer. That’s good, but just putting more and more money into the NHS as it’s currently designed is not going to work. We also need preventive measures, and we will present these in the ten-year plan.

– Of course, I know that some of them will be welcome and I know that some of them will be controversial. They always are. But unless we change the model, I don’t think we can bring about the change we need.

During the election campaign, Labour announced plans to introduce controlled and supervised toothbrushing of children in kindergarten. In other words, the state will take over child-rearing, in classic socialist fashion. Naturally, the measures will first be implemented in so-called disadvantaged areas. The “vulnerable” must be rescued first, according to the Labour government.

• Ministers announced plans to introduce a ban on junk food advertising at 9pm and a total ban on paid-for online advertising by October 2025
• An energy drink ban for children under the age of 16 is expected to be presented to parliament next month
• Details of plans for supervised toothbrushing for children aged 3 to 5 in nurseries to be announced later this year
• Cigarette sales will become illegal for anyone born after 2009 under the Tobacco and Vapour Bill, and disposable vapours will also be banned
• The government is considering introducing a ban on smoking in pub gardens
• Ministers have also pledged to give councils greater powers to crack down on junk food outlets and prevent them from operating near schools

What responsibility parents will be left with is somewhat unclear. In any case, they can’t enjoy a cigar on the outdoor tables outside the local pub. The state will take over the reins, so just wish the Brits good luck and tell them to trust Starmer.