Around 180,000 schoolchildren will benefit from a free breakfast to kick off the day, while parents can enjoy half an hour of free childcare every day during term time.
Pupils in participating schools will receive a “healthy, nutritious and varied breakfast” available 30 minutes before school starts until the end of the school year in July.
As it stands, the Government has picked 754 schools from a range of areas to take part in the scheme, with 80,000 children from deprived areas set to benefit. The clubs will be “a lifeline for working families simply trying to get by”, according to the Government.
It will also support families “in every corner of the country, so no one is left behind”.
The plan from Labour is for the initiative to be rolled out to every primary school in the UK “in due course”.
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Schools have contacted families about how to sign up for the free breakfast and the participating schools are split into the following regions:
- London – 80
- South East – 73
- South West – 93
- East Midlands – 84
- West Midlands – 82
- Yorkshire and Humber – 93
- North West – 105
- North East – 56
- East of England – 88
‘Family life and work can often feel impossible to juggle’
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “As a parent, I know that the combined pressures of family life and work can often feel impossible to juggle. That is why our manifesto promised to make parents’ lives easier and put more money in their pockets with free breakfast clubs.”
Starmer added: “The roll-out of free breakfast clubs is a truly game-changing moment for families in this country. They mean parents will no longer be hamstrung by rigid school hours and have the breathing space they need to beat the morning rush, attend work meetings and doctors’ appointments, or run errands. And crucially, it means better life chances for children.”
Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said: “On top of the hectic school run, parents should not have to worry about how to balance work and getting their children fed and ready for school. These clubs will break down barriers and help children settle in, focus and get the most out of their learning.
“We are delivering on our promises and giving every child the best start in life while making sure families get the support they need, wherever they live.”
