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 expressed that expanding the Labour project to 2,000 more schools will have a significant positive impact on families. Approximately two million meals have already been served in 750 schools since the initial launch in April.
Phillipson, a candidate for Labour’s next deputy leader, emphasized the success of the policy, citing her recent visit to a breakfast club in Kettering where over 100 children were benefiting from the program. She highlighted how the clubs not only alleviate financial burdens for families but also provide a supportive environment for children to start their school day effectively.
Schools can now apply to join the upcoming cohort, with the first set to be onboarded in April and more following in September. Over £80 million will be invested in the expansion of breakfast clubs, with the aim of having them established in all schools by the end of the current Parliament.
Phillipson expressed her pride in the swift implementation of the new breakfast clubs and reiterated her commitment to fulfilling the mandates of the Labour party. This initiative, coupled with the planned expansion of free school meals next year, is expected to significantly enhance the opportunities for children.
Starting from next September, all families receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals. The Government asserts that the introduction of breakfast clubs fulfills a key manifesto promise, offering parents additional time and potential savings on childcare costs.
Research indicates that eight out of ten families believe breakfast clubs facilitate timely work schedules and smoother school drop-offs.