More South Yorkshire schools to benefit from free breakfast clubs
The scheme first started as a trial back in April this year
Last updated 20th Nov 2025
Parents could save up to £450 a year from the rollout of 500 more free school breakfast clubs in deprived areas, the Government has said.
Primary schools where two in five (40%) or more pupils are eligible for free school meals (FSM) will be able to apply for funding from Thursday to open free breakfast clubs in an attempt to target schools where families are struggling the most with the cost of living.
The Department for Education (DfE) has increased funding for the breakfast clubs by 28% for the average school, it said. This comes after unions said during the pilot stage school leaders were telling them the funding wasn't sufficient.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: "We're very pleased the Government has listened to feedback from the trial schools and increased the funding for free school breakfast clubs.
"Our own research shows that funding levels are the primary concern for school leaders so this increase should certainly help."
There will be funding for 500 schools to open the clubs from April 2026, followed by another 1,500 in September.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the breakfast clubs are prioritising communities "feeling the sharpest squeeze" to tackle the cost of living and child poverty.
"I grew up in a family where every bill mattered, and I know what it feels like for parents trying to make ends meet," he said.
The DfE said half a million more children will be served by the free breakfast clubs from April, and they could save parents up to 95 hours in childcare.
More than one in three (38%) of parents surveyed during the pilot stage said they find it difficult to give their child a healthy breakfast before school, the DfE said.
Schools will receive £25 a day for staffing breakfast clubs, and £1 per child.
Mr Whiteman said during the pilot stage in April: "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."
The per pupil funding has been increased from 60p during the pilot stage for each day of breakfast club attendance. During the pilot stage schools got 78p per pupil for those eligible for FSM, as well as £500 for set up costs and £1,099 termly funding.
Duncan Jacques, chief executive officer of Exceed Academies Trust, said increasing the funding rate will enable more trusts to keep offering breakfast clubs.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "Our free breakfast clubs are ensuring over half a million more children don't start the school day hungry and save working parents around £450 a year.
"We're launching this in the parts of the country that need it most - helping to bring bills down for families across Britain."
Rotherham's Labour MP Sarah Champion hopes the scheme will help plenty of families in need across the town:
"We already have a couple of these free breakfast clubs in Rotherham, and hopefully we're going to get a lot more.
"The schools open half an hour early for this - so it also helps the parents out with childcare.
"They can drop their children off knowing that they will get a nutritious breakfast; meaning they can start the day really ready to work - which is so important.
"I really, really hope that Rotherham schools sign up for it.
"East Dene Primary School and Coleridge Primary already have - it's working very, very well there.
"I've seen it in action; the schools are happy, the parents are happy, and the children are happy.
"As long as you're a state funded school, you can apply for this.
"So, wherever you are, I want your children to be able to thrive in class - and giving them a healthy breakfast is a really good way to do that.
"The food has to be of a high standard, so that parents can trust that their child is going to be looked after.
"It's also about a sense of community; knowing that your child is going to be with other children in a safe environment.
"They'll gently be able to gear up for the day at these free breakfast clubs.
"It also takes the financial pressure off parents - it's one less meal to find."