Two more Luton schools to offer free breakfast clubs from September

Two schools in Luton South and South Bedfordshire will begin offering free breakfast clubs from September as part of the government’s expansion of its Best Start scheme.

Hillborough Junior School and Foxdell Primary School have been selected to join the programme, which provides pupils with a free breakfast before the start of the school day while also offering families additional childcare.

The two schools will join Denbigh Primary School and Someries Infant School, which are already taking part in the scheme.

The government says the latest expansion will see a further 1,400 schools across England begin offering free breakfast clubs, bringing the total number of children benefiting to around 680,000.

According to ministers, the clubs could save the average family around £450 a year while providing the equivalent of 95 hours of childcare annually. The aim is also to ensure children arrive at school well-fed and ready to learn.

Luton South MP Rachel Hopkins welcomed the announcement, saying it would provide valuable support for local families during the cost of living crisis.

She wrote in a blog: “Hillborough Junior School and Foxdell Primary School in our constituency are set to join the Labour Government’s free breakfast club scheme from September, extending cost of living support to more families in our area. This is brilliant news that will help local kids and parents alike.”

Ms Hopkins said she had been campaigning for more schools in the constituency to be included in the programme.

She said: “I’ve been working hard with the Labour government to get more Best Start free breakfast clubs into our schools, so I’m really pleased to see this happening.”

The MP added that the expansion would help ensure children started the school day ready to learn while easing financial pressures on parents.

She said: “This expansion secures much-needed savings for local families and will mean every child, no matter their background, can feel the benefits of a nutritious breakfast before school and is set up to succeed.”