PRESS RELEASE FROM ALISTAIR STRATHERN MP
MONDAY 21st FEBRUARY 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alistair Strathern MP has celebrated the news that three schools in the Hitchin constituency have been included in the first 750 schools to benefit from the Government’s universal roll out of free breakfast clubs.
Shefford Lower School, Etonbury Academy and Meppershall Church of England Academy will all soon have free breakfast clubs funded as part of the governments new pilot.
Studies suggest breakfast clubs can put up to £450 a year back in local parents’ pockets, and they significantly boost children’s long-term behaviour, attendance and attainment.
Having seen first-hand the benefit of breakfast clubs as a teacher, and then delivered them in schools as a council lead, Mr Strathern has long been a supporter of expanded breakfast club provision.
From as soon as April, these schools will kick-off the historic programme, as part of an early adopter phase set to inform a later national roll out.
The scheme also has an important role to play in the Government’s commitment remove the stain of child poverty. Out of the 180,000 children who will benefit from the early adopter schools nationwide, around 67,000 attend schools in deprived areas.
The clubs are part of a raft of measures designed to cut the cost of living for families, including the commitment to significantly cut uniform costs through a cap on branded items.
Alistair Strathern MP said:
“I am absolutely delighted that Shefford Lower, Etonbury and Meppershall CoE have been selected as one of the first schools to benefit from Labour’s free breakfast clubs.
“I’ve seen first-hand as a teacher and schools lead the impact these clubs can have on students’ attendance, attainment and wellbeing, all while saving families hundreds every year.
“I pushed ministers to make sure local schools were part of the early adopter pilot, and I am delighted they’ve listened.
“Through breakfast clubs, a cap on school uniform, thousands of more teachers, increased SEND provision and billions for school maintenance, we are getting our schools back on track.”
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.”
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