Falconhurst School, Greenleys Junior School, Greenleys First School, Moorland Primary School and Water Hall Primary School have received funding to provide free school breakfasts.
More than 3,000 children in Milton Keynes will soon benefit from free, daily breakfast clubs, regardless of if they receive pupil premium or free school meals , as the Labour government confirms the next 500 schools to offer the scheme from April - putting up to £450 a year back in local parents’ pockets in a practical move to help families relieve cost-of-living pressures.
This represents a campaign win for Callum Anderson MP, Chris Curtis MP and Emily Darlington MP, who wrote to every eligible local school to encourage them to apply to join the scheme. Falconhurst School, Greenleys Junior School, Greenleys First School, Moorland Primary School and Water Hall Primary School have now been selected for funding.
The breakfast clubs come alongside a raft of measures driven forward by Labour to support families across Milton Keynes and relieve everyday pressures, including expanding free school meals, rolling out 30 hours of government-funded childcare, reducing school uniform costs, and securing the future of Best Start holiday clubs.
Delivering on promises made to working parents in Labour’s manifesto, all primary-aged children attending the five schools will be able to access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare every day - helping parents fit work around childcare, get into work, and manage household finances.
Universal Best Start free breakfast clubs break down barriers to opportunity by ensuring every child starts the school day ready to learn, with research showing the clubs have a lasting impact on children’s behaviour, attendance and attainment.
The scheme plays a key role in Labour’s moral mission to tackle child poverty, with the government on track to secure the biggest reduction in child poverty within a single parliament. By targeting support, Labour’s clubs will reach half a million pupils in England’s most disadvantaged communities, providing an essential meal to ensure every child starts the day ready to learn.
Callum Anderson MP (Buckingham and Bletchley) said:
“I am delighted to announce that Water Hall has been selected as one of Labour’s Best Start free breakfast clubs, and I cannot wait to come and visit. The school has a strong relationship with the Department for Education, and its leadership team is doing brilliant work to improve outcomes for pupils. I grew up under a Labour government and know first-hand that it’s initiatives like free breakfast clubs which make a real difference to families in our city.”
Chris Curtis MP (Milton Keynes North) said:
“Free school breakfast clubs are a vital investment in our children’s future and a testament to the government’s commitment to ending child poverty. Last year, I had the pleasure of visiting St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School - which has already received funding - and seeing first-hand how this support is helping pupils start the day ready to learn. Two more schools in the constituency receiving this support is just fantastic.”
Emily Darlington MP (Milton Keynes Central) said:
“When we came into power, one in five children in Milton Keynes were officially growing up in poverty - meaning that far too many young people across our city were going to school on an empty stomach. Every child deserves the best start in life, and I will continue to push for policies that help every child achieve their full potential.”
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.”
