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All primary school kids to get free breakfast as part of Labour’s childcare plan
Labour hopes to fund the plan by reversing Kwasi Kwarteng’s abolition of the 45p higher tax rate
All primary school pupils will receive free breakfast under Labour’s newly unveiled childcare plan.
Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will announce the plan at the Labour conference in Liverpool today, where she will reveal that all children regardless of wealth would get a free morning meal.
Currently, schools are only eligible for free breakfasts if 40% of their pupils come from poorer families.
Labour say the plan would cost roughly £365million, and would be funded by reversing Kwasi Kwarteng’s abolition of the 45p higher tax rate.
The reintroduction of the tax rate would bring in an estimated £2billion, with the remaining cash to go towards a recruitment drive of NHS doctors, nurses and midwives.
Phillipson also hopes the pledge will reduce childcare costs for parents who need to start work early.
She will say at the conference today: “Labour will build a modern childcare system. One that supports families from the end of parental leave through to the end of primary school.
“As the first step on that road, we will introduce breakfast clubs for every primary school child in England, driving up standards in maths, reading, and writing, and giving mams and dads choices.”
The Association of School and College Leaders said of the plan: “Not only is this important in terms of wellbeing, but it is also educationally important as pupils are not in a fit state to learn if they are hungry.”
Research by KidsHealth.org showed that high protein and fibre-rich breakfasts help to boost children’s attention span, concentration and memory, all of which are essential for good performance at school.
By reducing the stress of the morning routine for families and children, breakfast clubs can also help to improve behaviour and attendance.
Sam Bailey, the headteacher of the Forest Academy in Barnsley, said after the launch of their own free breakfast club: “Pupil behaviour has improved dramatically and attitudes to learning are the best they have ever been.”