‘Nanny state’ trial scheme to help mothers-to-be

BRITISH mothers are to be targeted for help before their babies are even born in the hope of steering the children away from lives of crime, poverty and delinquency in a scheme promoted by outgoing British prime minister, Tony Blair.

Mr Blair yesterday met healthcare workers who will be piloting the Nurse-Family Partnerships, offering intensive support to mothers-to-be identified as most at risk of social exclusion.

Mr Blair dismissed suggestions the scheme would stigmatise poor mothers, and insisted the state could not afford to be “prissy” about intervening in their lives.