Thousands of children to attend free breakfast clubs across the country today, as government delivers its manifesto commitment and promise to working families
School mornings just got easier for families across the country as 750 schools open breakfast clubs today, offering 30 minutes of taxpayer-funded childcare, a healthy start for kids and a little more breathing room before the school bell rings.
Parents will be supported with additional time at the start of the day to attend appointments, get to work on time and run errands. In total, this means parents will be able to save up to 95 additional hours and £450 per year if their child attends taxpayer-funded breakfast clubs every day.
This amount rises to a saving of up to £8,000 every year when combining the taxpayer-funded breakfast clubs with further support through the expansion of taxpayer-funded childcare and new school uniform cap on branded items.
With the cost of everyday essentials stretching budgets, these clubs will be a lifeline for working families simply trying to get by. When you’re raising a family, every penny counts and that’s why the government is stepping in to ease the pressure and put money back in parents’ pockets.
No matter the postcode or the pay packet, every child deserves the same chance to thrive. That’s the principle behind this rollout — real support for families in every corner of the country, so no one is left behind.
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. Together, they show the Plan for Change is delivering for working families.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:
According to new government data, parents are also motivated to take up taxpayer-funded breakfast clubs because of the improvements they can have on their wellbeing.
Many see them as is 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.
The rollout delivers on the government’s manifesto promise to ensure state schools offer taxpayer-funded breakfast clubs to all pupils; while supporting its Plan for Change milestone to ensure tens of thousands more children start school ready to learn.
Victoria Taylor, mum of two children aged 5 and 7, said:
Editor's Note: The government has no money of its own; whenever a government official says “free,” they really mean taxpayer-funded. This article suggests that working families will receive relief; in reality, it’s the working families who are paying for this programme.