Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed a new rule for schools in England from September as he quits as Prime Minister. The Labour Party leader is set to depart Number 10 Downing Street in mid-July, with Andy Burnham waiting in the wings as his replacement.
Resignation and Breakfast Club Announcement
Sir Keir's resignation comes almost a decade to the Brexit vote, and has left his supporters scrambling to champion his successes. One of these was Sir Keir's confirmation earlier this year that half a million more children will benefit from free breakfast clubs from September 2026.
Applications have opened for the next wave of 500 schools with 40% of pupils on free school meals to benefit from the programme, the government has added.
Benefits for Working Parents
The clubs save working parents up to £450 and give back up to 95 hours of time each year. Schools with the highest proportion of pupils on free school meals are being prioritised so support goes first to where it's most needed.
Expansion of Free School Meals
From the start of the 2026 school year, every pupil in state funded schools, school-based nurseries, sixth forms and further education institutions, whose household is on Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals. This will put £500 back into parents' pockets per child, every year, and means over half a million more children will benefit from a free nutritious meal every school day.
Government Commitment
The government says: "The government is committed to delivering on its pledge to provide a free breakfast club in every state-funded school with primary-aged children in England."
"The free breakfast clubs programme will support the government's aims of giving every pupil, regardless of their background, the best start in life. It will help break down barriers to every child achieving and thriving at school and in later life by ensuring they are ready to learn, as well as supporting families with cost of living, and tackling poverty."
