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 stated that expanding the program to 2,000 more schools will have a significant positive impact on families. Since its launch in April, 750 schools have served two million meals through this initiative.
Phillipson, a Labor deputy leader candidate, expressed pride in the policy’s success, citing a recent visit to a breakfast club in Kettering where 100 children benefited. She emphasized how the clubs not only eased financial burdens on families but also provided a better start to the school day for children, leading to improved learning experiences.
Schools can apply to join the upcoming phase of the program, with the first wave set to commence in April and more to follow in September. Over £80 million will be invested to expand breakfast clubs, aiming to have them established in all schools by the end of the current Parliament.
Phillipson highlighted the rapid implementation of free breakfast clubs, demonstrating the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises. She stressed that this initiative, along with the planned expansion of free school meals next year, will significantly enhance children’s opportunities in life.
Starting from September, families receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals. The Government asserts that the introduction of school breakfast clubs will give parents an extra 95 hours annually and potentially save up to £450 in childcare expenses.
Polling data revealed that eight out of ten families believe breakfast clubs facilitate punctuality in work attendance and make school drop-offs easier.