Rachel Reeves Promises Free Breakfast Clubs for Primary Schools Starting in 2025
- Rachel Reeves announces free breakfast clubs for primary schools starting next April
- 750 schools will receive initial funding with a wider national rollout to follow
- Funded by imposing VAT on private schools
Rachel Reeves has announced that thousands of primary school children will benefit from free breakfast clubs starting next April. Speaking at the Labour Party conference, the Chancellor outlined plans to introduce the policy in 750 schools initially, before rolling it out nationwide.
This flagship initiative, aimed at helping children thrive, will be funded by imposing VAT on private schools. Reeves has provided a £7 million cash boost to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to kick-start the programme.
In her speech, Reeves emphasised the importance of education, stating, “Investing in the next generation is essential so that children from working-class backgrounds can lead richer lives.”
Reeves' decision to means-testing the £200-£300 cold-weather sum has been met with criticism by many Brits, with her responding, “I made the choice to means test the winter fuel payment, to target it at those most in need. I know that not everyone – in this hall, or in the country – will agree with every decision I make. But I will not duck those decisions. Not for political expediency. Not for personal advantage. Faced with that £22 billion black hole that the Conservatives left this year and with the triple lock ensuring that the state pension will rise by an estimated £1,700 over this Parliament, I judged it the right decision, in the circumstances we inherited.”
Reeves also attributed upcoming tough decisions to reckless spending by the previous Conservative government.