STORY
The Department for Education has announced that free breakfast clubs will be expanded to a further 500 primary schools across England starting in April 2026. This roll-out is part of a broader government initiative that will see 1,250 schools participating in the programme by the end of the 2026 Easter holidays, making the service available to more than 300,000 children. The scheme is designed to save working families up to £450 per year per child and is currently prioritising schools in disadvantaged areas.
Schools participating in the programme will receive varied levels of funding to cover the costs of provision. Mainstream schools are set to receive £1 per pupil for each day they attend the club, alongside a £25 daily payment to cover fixed costs like staffing. Special schools and alternative provision settings will receive a higher rate of £3.23 per pupil and a fixed daily payment of £18.95. Additionally, every school joining the programme will be granted a one-off start-up payment of £1,000 to assist with equipment, training and infrastructure.