The Government has announced that an additional half a million children will benefit from free breakfast clubs starting next year. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson shared that extending the Labour project to an additional 2,000 schools will have a significant impact on families. Since its launch in April, 750 schools have already provided two million meals through the program.
Expressing pride in the positive outcomes of the policy, Ms. Phillipson recounted her recent visit to a breakfast club in Kettering where 100 children were actively participating. She emphasized the club’s role in easing financial burdens for parents and providing children with a smooth transition into the school day, ultimately enhancing the learning environment.
Schools interested in joining the initiative can apply for the upcoming cohort, with the first schools expected to participate in April and more to follow in September. Over £80 million will be invested in expanding breakfast clubs, with the goal of implementing them in all schools by the end of the current Parliament.
Ms. Phillipson highlighted the swift implementation of the new free breakfast clubs as a testament to fulfilling the promises made to the electorate. She emphasized that these efforts align with Labour’s core values and will complement the significant expansion of free school meals planned for the following year, ultimately improving children’s opportunities in life.
Starting from September, all families receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals. The Government touts that the introduction of school breakfast clubs will give parents back 95 hours annually and potentially save up to £450 in childcare expenses. Polling data reveals that eight out of ten families believe breakfast clubs facilitate timely work schedules and smoother school drop-offs.