Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to begin the rollout of free breakfast clubs in primary school from April 2025.
The Labour Party manifesto pledged to introduce free breakfast clubs in every primary school as part of its mission to break down the barriers to opportunity. The clubs will improve pupil behaviour, support families with the cost of living and help parents who are having to juggle work commitments.
Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the ‘work of change has begun’ as she confirms £7 million of funding for the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to begin the rollout of breakfast clubs from next April.
Under the Government’s plans, funding will be made available by the Department for Education to invite up to 750 primary schools with primary aged pupils to become early adopters of the breakfast club programme in the summer term.
As part of the early adoptions adopters programme, the Department for Education will work collaboratively with the education sector, businesses and charities to test the delivery of the breakfast club programme to inform national rollout.
The Department will work with schools to understand how breakfast clubs can be delivered in a way that builds on what is already happening in our schools, meets the needs of parents and helps realise the benefits for pupils.
Helen Osgood, Director of Operations and National Officer for Education & Early Years commented:
“This is a brilliant initiative that will help thousands of children across the country every day.
“Our members have been telling us about the difficulties of working with children who cannot concentrate because they are hungry and this will help to address that problem for all children in our primary schools.
“Not only will this address the issue of hunger, but will also reduce disruptive behaviour and improve outcomes because children will be better able to engage with their learning.
“The cost of living has had a disastrous impact on so many families and out schools have risen to the challenge with 21%-33% of schools running foodbanks to support their communities, but we are pleased that the government is stepping up their plans to address the issue.
“This pilot programme is the perfect way to begin to address this issue and understanding the particular needs of our schools before a nationwide launch.
“We would encourage every school to get involved at the earliest opportunity for the benefit of the pupils and their learning.”
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