Education Secretary hails ‘real impact’ of free breakfast clubs in Luton schools

The Education Secretary has praised the early success of the government’s new breakfast club scheme in Luton, saying it is already making a tangible difference for families, seven months after its launch.

The programme was first rolled out in the town in April, when Bridget Phillipson visited Denbigh Primary School to help serve the first meals of the initiative, which aims to widen access to childcare, ease morning pressures for parents and ensure children start the school day ready to learn.

Speaking about its progress in a video message, Ms Phillipson said: “I wanted to pass on my thanks to all the staff at Denbigh Primary School and Somerset Infant School for all that you’ve done to successfully rollout one of Labour‘s new free breakfast clubs.

“It’s a great achievement that’s having a real impact in Luton south and south Bedfordshire. We’ve now served over two-and-a-half million free breakfasts to children across the country and that is only the beginning.

“We rolled out 30 hours of government-funded childcare and secured free school meals for over half a million more children.

“With the help of your local MP, Rachel Hopkins, Labour will make best start free breakfast clubs available in every primary school in Luton south and south Bedfordshire so that parents can save up to £450 and local children get the best through our plan for change.”

Ms Phillipson’s comments come as schools report strong take-up of the scheme, which has been positioned by ministers as a key part of Labour’s education package. The party has argued that widening access to free breakfasts and funded childcare is essential to reducing inequality and helping working families with rising costs.

Local MP Rachel Hopkins has repeatedly backed the rollout and said in a social media post: “Great to see that an extra 500 schools will be able to join the free breakfast club scheme from April and another 1,500 in September!

“I’m proud that our Labour government is giving children the best start in life – breaking down barriers to opportunity and putting money back in the pockets of working families.”