Parents Prioritising Primary Schools with Taxpayer-Funded Breakfast Clubs

Over 300,000 children are set to benefit from 'Best Start' taxpayer-funded breakfast clubs in April, as the government prioritises support to tackle the cost of living

Over 300,000 children are set to benefit from Best Start taxpayer-funded breakfast clubs in April, as the government prioritises support to tackle the cost of living and help parents juggle work and family life.

Schools already enrolled on the programme have served up 7 million meals to date and saved families up to £450 per year, while giving them up to 95 hours of precious time back each morning. Meanwhile, children are benefitting from healthy breakfasts and being in school earlier, with evidence showing improved attendance, attainment and behaviour.

With the government’s taxpayer-funded breakfast clubs already proving to be a lifeline for so many, it is now calling on more primary schools to sign up, as new polling reveals nearly half (45%) of parents prioritise schools offering them.  

Crucially, the clubs are also helping to cut stigma which still exists, with six in ten (60%) parents more likely to access support when it’s available to everyone.

This comes as data reveals nearly four in ten (38%) single parents feel guilt when accessing free support, compared to 28% of parents raising a family with a partner.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

Applications open today for 1,500 schools to join in September, so that 680,000 children will benefit by September.

Backed by £80 million targeting the most disadvantaged areas, the scheme builds on the government’s decisions to prioritise investment to help families with the cost of living, including:

Diane Newton, Head Teacher, Field Road Academy, West Midlands said:

Maria Carnevale is a single mum of three living in Eastwood in Rotherham, balancing work, family life, and caring for a newborn. Reflecting on the difference breakfast club makes, she says:

The government has also secured industry partnerships with Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Weetabix and Magic Breakfast, continuing until July 2026 to provide discounts, free deliveries and healthier meals. This will ensure top British brands can help schools benefit from discounts and free deliveries and kids to have access to healthier, varied meals. 

Frank Young, Chief Executive of Parentkind said:

Notes to Editors

(*) Whenever the government says "free", what they forget to say is that everything is paid for by the taxpayers. Nothing is free.