More families and children in Enfield will soon benefit from free, daily breakfast clubs as the Labour government confirms the next 500 schools to offer the scheme from April, including nine in Enfield, putting up to £450 a year back in local parents’ pockets.
Key points
- Labour is rolling out Best Start free breakfast clubs to save working families up to £450 and set children up to start the day ready to learn
- 500 more schools to offer clubs from April, achieving Labour’s Plan for Change
- Half a million pupils in England’s most disadvantaged communities to benefit this year
It represents a campaign win for Enfield Labour, whose leader, Cllr Ergin Erbil, and MPs, Kate Osamor, Bambos Charalambous and Feryal Clark, wrote to all eligible local schools to encourage them to apply to join the scheme.
The clubs come alongside a high number of measures driven forward by Labour to cut the cost of living for families in Enfield, including expanding free school meals, rolling out 30 hours of government funded childcare, bringing down school uniform costs, and securing the future of Best Start holiday clubs.
Achieving promises made to working parents in Labour’s manifesto, all primary aged children attending these nine schools will be able to access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare every day, helping to support parents getting into work.
Universal Best Start free breakfast clubs are key to Labour’s Plan for Change, breaking down barriers to opportunity by making sure every child starts the school day ready to learn. Research shows the clubs have a lasting impact on children’s behaviour, attendance and attainment.
The scheme also plays a key role in Labour’s mission to tackle child poverty. The government is on track to secure the biggest reduction in child poverty within a single 5 year term, with targeted support reaching half a million children in England’s most disadvantaged communities and ensuring every child starts the day ready to learn.
Cllr Ergin Erbil, the leader of Enfield’s Labour council, said:
“One of my top priorities is to tackle the cost of living in Enfield. Free Breakfast Clubs are just one of the ways that we’re supporting local families to save money. 30 hours a week free childcare, the limit on how many branded items of uniform schools can charge for that’s coming in this September and more children than ever before able to get Free School Meals.
In our manifesto, we will set out how Enfield Labour will continue to further help families with the cost of living, and give every child in Enfield the best start in life when we win the elections in May.
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said:
“Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of Labour’s Plan for Change, breaking the link between background and success for families all over the country.
“Breakfast clubs can have a transformative impact on the lives of millions of children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds so every child begins the day ready to learn.
“Alongside our plans to roll out school based nurseries and get thousands more children school ready, this government is delivering the reforms needed to give every child, wherever they grow up, the best start in life.”
