Campaign win for Birmingham Edgbaston MP as five schools set to get free breakfast clubs

• Labour is rolling out 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, delivering on Labour’s Plan for Change

• Half a million pupils in England’s most disadvantaged communities to benefit this year

Families and children in Birmingham Edgbaston will soon benefit from free, daily breakfast clubs as the Government confirms the next 500 schools to offer the scheme from April. These include, three schools in Bartley Green – St Michael’s C of E, The Orchards Primary, and Woodcock Hill Primary – as well as Woodhouse Primary in Quinton and Oasis Academy Woodview in Edgbaston.

This is a huge win for Birmingham Edgbaston’s Member of Parliament, Preet Kaur Gill, who wrote to all eligible local schools to encourage them to apply to join the scheme. As a result, 2737 children in the constituency will be able to access a nutritious meal at the start of the day.

The clubs come alongside a raft of measures driven forward by the Government to cut the cost of living for families in Birmingham Edgbaston, 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.

Delivering on promises made to working parents in Labour’s manifesto, all primary aged children will be able to access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare, every day, helping to support parents getting back into work.

Universal Best Start free breakfast clubs are central to Labour’s Plan for Change, breaking down barriers to opportunity by making sure 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 supports the moral mission to tackle child poverty, with the government on track to secure the biggest reduction in child poverty within a single parliament.

Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said: "Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of Government'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.”

Preet Kaur Gill, MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, said: “I am so happy to announce that these five schools in Edgbaston have been selected as one of Labour’s Best Start free breakfast clubs and I cannot wait to visit the clubs in April.

“As a former children’s manager in the city, I know hoe vital this support is. I am grateful to the school who applied for funding. It’s a testament to both the school and the government’s dedication to getting children school-ready so they are able to improve their attendance, attainment and wellbeing, as well as improving the household finances of local families.

“This government is boosting parents work choices and children’s life chances.”