Breakfast clubs officially available at 750 UK schools
The initiative means that parents will be able to save up to 95 additional hours and £450 per year if their child attends free breakfast clubs every day
Some 750 schools have officially opened breakfast clubs today (22 April), offering 30 minutes of free childcare to families and a guaranteed healthy meal for kids before school starts.
The initiative means that parents will be able to save up to 95 additional hours and £450 per year if their child attends free breakfast clubs every day.
According to the government, this amount rises to a saving of up to £8k every year when combining the free breakfast clubs with further support through the expansion of government-funded childcare and the new school uniform cap on branded items.
These clubs sit alongside action to tackle the cost of living, with inflation falling for two months in a row, wages growing faster than prices and fuel duty frozen.
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. Under a year since we came into office, this government is delivering that through our Plan for Change.
“The rollout of free breakfast clubs is a truly game-changing moment for families in this country. By making these clubs free and universal, we’re doing something that previous governments have never done. We’re going further and faster to deliver the change working families deserve. That’s the change this government was elected to deliver.”
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson added: “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.
“According to new government data, parents are also motivated to take up free breakfast clubs because of the improvements they can have on their wellbeing. Many see them as an opportunity to socialise with other children before school (30%) and spend more time doing the activities they enjoy (28%) – offering a supportive start to the day that leads to better behaviour, and better life chances.”
