Delivering her speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, she revealed that the rollout of the scheme will begin with a pilot involving up to 750 schools. The aim of the pilot is to work out how best to build on what provision is already in place in schools, how best to meet the needs of parents and ensure children start the day ‘ready to learn’.
Reeves, who confirmed £7 million in funding has been allocated to the rollout, said, ‘I joined this party because of three words spoken in a conference hall in Blackpool 28 years ago: education, education, education.
‘I don’t want kids to succeed "against all odds". I want them to succeed because they deserve it, because the odds weren’t stacked against them. That’s the Britain I want to live in - just like every other parent who wants the best for their kids.'
While the National Education Union showed its support for free breakfast clubs, it urged the Government to 'go bolder.'
General secretary, Daniel Kebede said, 'Breakfast clubs are a good step forward, provided they are fully funded, but Labour need to be bolder. The NEU is calling on Government to take urgent action to eradicate the spectre of child hunger from our schools by providing free school meals for all children in primary school. A hot nutritious school dinner every day will support millions of children whose families are facing the impossible choice of paying bills or eating during the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, and remove any stigma around much needed additional support. We must make sure no child goes too hungry to learn.'
The Chancellor has also promised a review of business rates, which has been welcomed by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA).
- Schools wishing to find out more about the breakfast clubs pilot can register their interest in becoming an early adopter with the DfE.
