British children as young as four will be 'brainwashed by Brussels' because of Labour's decision to rejoin the EU's student exchange scheme, according to Tory MPs.

Sir Keir Starmer was accused of signing up to a 'trojan horse for European propaganda' by taking the UK back into the controversial Erasmus programme.

This week, Labour finalised taking Britain back into the £570million-a-year scheme. They insisted rejoining it will unlock opportunities for young people on the continent.

However, Tory critics were enraged as it emerged British schools must now teach children about the EU, display the EU flag and praise the European project as part of the scheme.

They claimed children will be subject to 'mind control' in lessons, where they will learn about the 'benefits of the Single Market' and European integration.

Tory MP Saqib Bhatti said: 'This is a thinly veiled attempt to brainwash children, with EU propaganda beamed right into their schools, colleges and universities.

'We all know Starmer wants to unpick Brexit, but now he is resorting to mind control to do it.'

The Tories were especially angered after the Government admitted that the UK would rejoin Erasmus without a debate or vote in Parliament.

Under the Erasmus scheme, teachers in participating schools will get taxpayer-funded grants and must 'integrate EU subjects' in primary and secondary school classrooms to 'strengthen European identity' – even though Britain voted to leave a decade ago.

These schools, colleges and universities will also be forced to display the EU flag and give 'thanks to the EU' as part of strict rules buried in the small print of the student exchange agreement.

They face being fined tens of thousands of pounds if they do not comply with the 'mandatory' flag rules.

Labour Ministers have been enthusiastic about the deal, which they say is 'fair and balanced' – even though it costs double the scheme Boris Johnson rejected as too expensive in 2021.

Publicly, it is billed as an opportunity for young people to travel, study and work abroad.

But Erasmus's stated goals are to promote 'a common European identity' and the 'corporate communication of the political priorities of the Union'.

Universities which receive grants under the scheme must display 'durable plaques or billboards that are clearly visible to the public' bearing the EU's flag.

The EU's distinctive golden stars must be emblazoned on all conferences, seminars, brochures, posters, presentations, social media, as well as any equipment, vehicles or infrastructure.

Labour will close the successful Turing programme to make way for the EU's project.

That deal gave disadvantaged British students the opportunity to study and develop skills worldwide, not just Europe, for a fraction of the cost because Britain didn't have to fund foreign students coming here.

Tory MP Mike Wood said on Saturday: 'On Labour's watch, Erasmus is set to be a Trojan horse for the EU propaganda machine.

'Starmer has signed Britain up to a scheme that forces the promotion of the EU all while British tax-payers foot a bill running into the billions.'

This is part of Labour's push for closer ties with the EU, something senior Labour figures have made no secret of recently.

Only last week, EU Minister said a better relationship with the continent was 'patriotic'.

And the Prime Minister, whose favourite piece of classical music is the EU anthem Ode to Joy, was accused of 'shamelessly' using the Iran war to reverse Brexit.

Sir Keir said the fallout from the conflict in the Middle East, which has fractured the UK's relationship with the US, 'requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union'.

A Government spokesman said: 'The law is clear that schools must remain politically impartial, and rejoining Erasmus does not change this.

'Erasmus will enable hundreds of thousands of children and young people to access life-changing opportunities to travel and study abroad.'