I’m calling on eligible primary schools across Southampton Itchen to apply for the next wave of Labour’s free Best Start breakfast clubs, a programme already saving parents around £450 a year and giving families more breathing room in the mornings to get to work.
Half a million more children nationwide will benefit from free breakfast clubs from April, with applications now open for the next 500 schools joining the scheme in April 2026. A further 1,500 schools will join in September 2026, extending support to over 200,000 more children within just over a year of launch.
Earlier this year, I visited the two new breakfast clubs at St Patrick’s Primary and St Mary’s C of E Primary, which opened locally in April. Seeing the difference they are already making is why I’ve now written to all eligible primary schools in Southampton Itchen, encouraging them to put in applications. I am also writing to the Education Secretary supporting all applications from Southampton.
The rollout prioritises schools with the highest proportion of pupils on free school meals, ensuring support reaches families who need it most. Labour has increased the per-child funding rate so schools can offer a wider variety of healthy meals. Each school will also receive a guaranteed £25 a day to cover staffing and admin, making delivery straightforward and fully funded. For an average school with 50% take-up, overall funding has increased by 28%.
This programme builds on Labour’s commitment to help families with the cost of living – from expanding free school meals to every family on Universal Credit, lifting 100,000 children out of poverty, to introducing 30 hours of free childcare for working parents, saving up to £7,500 a year.
My message to local schools
“Labour’s free breakfast clubs are already making a real difference to families here in Southampton, cutting costs, easing the morning rush, and helping children start the day ready to learn.
“After seeing the brilliant work happening at St Patrick’s and St Mary’s, I want as many schools as possible to benefit. That’s why I’ve written to every eligible school urging them to apply.
“This is Labour delivering for hardworking families, widening opportunity, improving children’s life chances, and putting money back into people’s pockets. I’ll back every school in Southampton Itchen that applies to join the next wave.”
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:
“This is national renewal in action, breaking down barriers so every child gets the best start in life, regardless of their background.
“By rolling out free breakfast clubs to half a million more children, we’re not just filling empty stomachs, we’re supercharging the nation’s morning routines and delivering the real change working families need.”