Free School Breakfasts in the UK: How Much Can Parents Save? 

The Labour party promised in their manifesto to introduce free breakfast clubs in primary schools. Now, its time to see if they will keep to their promises. This could alleviate a substantial financial burden on parents and families in the UK.  

For many parents, the daily struggle of balancing work, childcare, and school schedules adds both stress and expense. A free breakfast program could reduce these pressures, particularly for those already paying for school breakfasts or before-school care. 

 

What Can I Save with a Free Breakfast Club? 

Parents who currently pay for school breakfasts can expect to save around £400 per year when they receive access to the free clubs.

These savings are based on the typical costs that parents pay for breakfast services in schools, which often range from £1.50 to £2.50 per day.  

For families who currently rely on childcare before school, the potential savings are even greater. The savings could be as high as £2000 per year as the need for early morning childcare could be eliminated.  

The free breakfast initiative is particularly beneficial for parents of children with disabilities. A study by Pro Bono Economics found that couples with a disabled child earn, on average, £274 less per week compared to those without. This reduced income often means parents face added financial challenges, so the introduction of free breakfasts could provide meaningful assistance by reducing both food and childcare expenses. 

 

When Can I Expect to Have Free Breakfast Clubs? 

Labour has committed to investing £315 million in breakfast clubs by the 2028-29 school year, meaning parents can expect to see these changes rolled out in the coming years. 

The Chancellor has now announced that up to 750 schools with primary aged students will be invited to take part in a £7million breakfast club pilot.

This funding will allow those schools to run free breakfast clubs for pupils in the summer of 2025. Given the scale of the investment and the need for proper infrastructure, a phased rollout is likely, which means parents might see the gradual introduction of free breakfast clubs in some areas before the national launch. 

 

Will Free Breakfasts Include Schools for Disabled Children? 

One of the main questions parents are asking is whether this free breakfast scheme will cover all schools, including those catering to children with disabilities. Labour’s commitment to inclusivity in education suggests that the free breakfast initiative will extend to special education needs (SEN) schools. Given that parents of disabled children face higher costs across the board—including additional childcare and schooling expenses—the inclusion of these schools would be critical in alleviating financial pressures for these families. 

We are still waiting for confirmation that this initiative will also be launched in SEN schools. 

 

Free School Breakfasts—A Lifeline for Parents 

Parents and families are waiting for this initiative to begin as rising costs of childcare and school-related expenses make it more challenging. Although the full rollout is slated for 2028-29, parents can look forward to this much-needed support in the coming years. By easing the financial strain on working families and ensuring that all children start their day with a healthy meal, this policy promises to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many UK families. 

 

Let us know below if you are waiting for the roll out of free school breakfasts....