Two extra years for free school breakfast scheme in England

Thousands of children in disadvantaged areas in England will be offered nutritious breakfasts in the next two academic years, to better support their attainment, wellbeing and readiness to learn.

The government says it is to provide an additional £24 million to extend the National School Breakfast Programme for two extra years, building on what it calls its commitment to ‘level up outcomes’ for youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Through a scheme called Family Action, it will source and deliver breakfast food products to schools from September, and through the programme support up to 2,500 schools between 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Vicky Ford, Minister for Children and Families, said: “The National School Breakfast Programme is a fantastic scheme, helping some of the most disadvantaged children across the country kick start their day with a good, healthy meal, which can be so important in helping their concentration and behaviour during the school day. Family Action will lead this delivery in schools, backed by our £24 million investment, meaning hundreds of thousands of children can benefit from breakfast clubs over the next two years – I encourage all eligible schools to sign up.

David Holmes CBE, Chief Executive of Family Action, added: “We are delighted to be delivering the new National School Breakfast Programme having delivered the previous NSBP since 2018. This is great news for hundreds of thousands of children across the country who will have access to a free healthy school breakfast without barrier or stigma. We know this gives children the very best chance to learn from the start of their school day.”

Click here for more about the scheme.