Families and children in Hexham constituency will soon benefit from free, daily breakfast clubs as the Labour government confirms the first 750 schools to offer the scheme, including Cambo First School, Mickley First School, Chollerton Church of England First School and Otterburn Primary School, putting up to £450 a year back in local parents’ pockets.
From as soon as April, the school will kick-off the historic programme, with an early adopter phase set to inform Labour’s landmark national roll out which will give all parents access to the scheme.
The clubs come alongside a raft of measures designed to cut the cost of living for families, including the commitment to significantly cut uniform costs through a cap on branded items and complement the government-funded childcare.
Delivering on promises made to working parents in Labour’s manifesto, all primary aged children attending one of the four selected schools will be able to access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare, every day, helping to support parents getting into work.
Universal free breakfast clubs are central to Labour’s Plan for Change, removing barriers to opportunity by making sure every child starts the school day ready to learn – with research showing the clubs have a lasting impact on children’s behaviour, attendance and attainment.
The scheme also has an important role to play in Labour’s commitment to remove the stain of child poverty. Out of the 180,000 children who will benefit from the early adopter schools nationwide, around 67,000 attend schools in deprived areas. This will provide an essential meal to ensure every child starts the day ready to learn.
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said:
“Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of Labour’s Plan for Change, breaking the link between background and success for families all over the country
“Breakfast clubs can have a transformative impact on the lives of millions of children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds, so every child begins the day ready to learn.
“Alongside our plans to roll out school-based nurseries and get thousands more children school-ready, this government is delivering the reforms needed to give every child, wherever they grow up, the best start in life.”
Joe Morris MP, Member of Parliament for Hexham constituency, said:
“It is fantastic to see four of our brilliant local schools be selected to benefit from the first wave of Labour’s free breakfast clubs and I am very excited to see them in action in April.
“This Labour government is committed to ensuring children start their day well-fed and ready to learn while simultaneously expanding work opportunities for parents.
“Our breakfast club scheme could save families up to £450 a year and will aim to improve the attendance, attainment and wellbeing of our schoolchildren. That is something to be proud of.”
Schools were chosen from across England to ensure the scheme tests and learns from a variety of schools. Each breakfast club must be universal, offer 30 minutes of free childcare and include breakfast.
Government research shows most parents (87%) think breakfast clubs are a good chance for children to socialise, and two thirds (66%) recognise the value of clubs providing educational activities.
Breakfast clubs have been shown to boost children’s reading, writing, and maths by an average of two months.
Too many children’s life chances are being scarred by rising poverty, with 1 in 4 children in absolute poverty as of 2023. Labour is determined to change that, with the breakfast club rollout being driven alongside wider work of the Child Poverty Taskforce, which is set to deliver an ambitious strategy to increase household income, bring down essential costs, and tackle the challenges felt by those living in poverty.
Sir David Holmes CBE, Chief Executive of Family Action said:
“Family Action welcomes the Government’s announcement of the 750 schools who have been selected to take part in the Early Adopters Scheme. These schools will have a vital test and learn role which will undoubtedly inform the national rollout of the Government’s exciting universal breakfast policy.
“We know that an effective breakfast provision delivered in a supportive and enriching environment can make the world of difference to a child. We look forward to sharing our long experience of delivering breakfast provision ourselves with Early Adopter schools.”
Early Adopter schools will shape the future of the national breakfast club policy, contributing directly to its implementation. Further details on the national roll out of the breakfast clubs programme will follow in due course. The wider paid-for wraparound childcare offer – for all primary children to be able to access childcare between 8am-6pm – continues to roll out across the country.