Free breakfast clubs to open at 750 schools as teachers voice funding fears

Free breakfast clubs are set to launch at 750 schools across England next week as teachers expressed concerns that Government funding behind the flagship scheme will fall short of the cost.

Thousands of parents will be able to access 30 minutes of morning childcare from Tuesday as part of a trial beginning at the start of the new term and running to July, ahead of an expected national rollout.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the move would help with “breaking down barriers to opportunity” but school leaders have warned the pilot could lead to budget shortfalls.

The trial was initially backed by funding of £7 million, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves announcing in the autumn budget that more than £30 million would be allocated overall for breakfast clubs in 2025-26.

Labour made a manifesto commitment to spend £315 million on the programme by 2028-29.

Ministers expect the scheme to give parents of primary-aged children up to 95 additional hours and save them £450 per year in childcare costs.

The headteachers’ union has welcomed the expansion of breakfast clubs, which some schools already run, but said education leaders involved in the pilot had suggested the funding “just isn’t sufficient”.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of NAHT, said: “There is no doubt that a good breakfast can be positive for children’s health and help them to focus on their learning.

“While we welcome the intentions behind the programme, the initial feedback we are hearing from many school leaders participating in the pilot is that the funding just isn’t sufficient.

“At a time when school budgets are already stretched, most can ill-afford to subsidise this shortfall.”

He added: “It’s absolutely crucial that this is addressed before the scheme is rolled out nationally, and we have been encouraged to receive assurance from the Department for Education that funding will be looked at carefully when this trial is being assessed.”

The Government has previously insisted the funding will be sufficient to deliver the programme.

NASUWT teaching union general secretary Patrick Roach said the rollout would make a “significant contribution” to tackling child hunger but urged ministers to go “much further”.

“The rollout of the new breakfast club provision should be monitored closely to ensure that any logistical and funding issues can be addressed without any adverse impact on other aspects of provision within schools,” he said.

“The two-child benefit cap continues to blight the lives and life chances of hundreds of thousands of children. The Government should prioritise the forthcoming spending review to lift more children out of a life in poverty.”

Announcing the launch next week, Ms Phillipson said: “Free breakfast clubs are at the heart of our Plan for Change, making working parents’ lives easier and more affordable, while breaking down barriers to opportunity for every child.

“From Tyneside to Truro, England is one of the first countries in Europe to open universal free breakfast clubs, saving parents up to £450 per year and making sure every child starts school ready to learn.

“This Government is delivering on our promises to working parents, rolling out free breakfast clubs, school-based nurseries, and giving every child across the country the best start in life.”

The Government expects the funding rates for the programme to vary depending on up-take and pupil characteristics.

An average school with 50% uptake on the early adopter scheme would receive around £23,000 for a full year, and all schools are set to receive £500 to cover initial set-up costs and a lump sum of at least £1,000 a term.

The Tories claimed Labour had “punished 170,000 families by scrapping our planned reforms to the child benefit charge,” which would have seen claims based on household income.

“Labour talk tough on helping families but since being in office they punished 170,000 families by scrapping our planned reforms to the child benefit charge, pushing single parents and sole earners into a corner,” shadow education minister Neil O’Brien said.

“Children and their families deserve better.”

Published: 20/04/2025 by Radio NewsHubClick here to read this story in full at Radio News Hub