The Government has announced that an additional half a million children will have access to free breakfast clubs starting next year. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson shared that extending the Labour project to 2,000 more schools will have a significant positive impact on families. Since the program’s launch in April, 750 schools have served two million meals.
Phillipson, a candidate for Labour’s deputy leader position, expressed pride in the policy’s success. She highlighted a recent visit to a breakfast club in Kettering where 100 children benefitted from the initiative. The club not only eased financial burdens for families but also provided a better start to the school day, leading to improved learning outcomes.
Schools can now apply to join the program, with the first batch expected to be onboard in April and more to follow in September, as per the Education Secretary. An investment exceeding £80 million will be made to expand the breakfast clubs, aiming to have them operational in all schools by the end of the current Parliament.
Phillipson emphasized the swift rollout of the free breakfast clubs, aligning with Labour’s values and fulfilling electoral promises. She mentioned that alongside the expansion of free school meals, the initiative will significantly enhance children’s opportunities in life.
Starting next September, families receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals. The Government views school breakfast clubs as a key manifesto commitment, estimated to save parents up to £450 in childcare costs and provide them with an additional 95 hours annually. Research shows that eight out of ten families believe breakfast clubs facilitate timely work attendance and school drop-offs.
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