The National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) is an inherited scheme from the previous government and the contract will end in July 2026. The contract with the supplier Family Action stipulates that all food available for schools to purchase must meet the School Food Standards, which already restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar, as well as low-quality reformed or reconstituted foods. To ensure quality and nutrition in meals for the future, we are revising the School Food Standards and are engaging with experts across the sector.

This government is committed to delivering a free breakfast club in every state-funded school with primary-aged pupils in England. All NSBP schools with primary-aged pupils will have the opportunity to transition onto the free breakfast clubs programme from September 2026. NSBP secondary schools will be provided with continued support at an equivalent value to what they receive on the NSBP for the 2026/7 academic year. Further details for secondary schools will follow shortly.

At the Autumn Budget 2024, the government tripled its investment in breakfast clubs to over £30 million in the 2025/26 financial year to help ensure children are ready to learn at the start of the school day.

From the start of the 2025 summer term, the first 750 free breakfast clubs with early adopter schools are opening in towns and cities across the country.

Allocated funding covers early adopter food, delivery and staffing costs. It is based on previous breakfast club schemes, and discussions with schools who run breakfast clubs, and standard school staffing rates. All schools have received £500 to cover initial set-up costs and will receive a lump sum of at least £1,000 a term, regardless of how many pupils will be in attendance. Schools will then receive an arrears payment based on the number of pupils who accessed the club, the characteristics of the pupils with and with an additional daily rate for FSM6 pupils at the school. For special schools, there is a daily rate of £3.23 per day per child who attends the club. An average primary school, with 50% take-up, will receive over £23,000 for a full year for an early adopter Breakfast Club more than £21,000 above what was provided to schools under the previous government’s National School Breakfast Programme which failed to cover all food or staffing costs.

One function of the early adopters is to test how schools utilise the funding and how many pupils access the offer. The department has a robust strategy to capture and analyse this data.

The National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP), introduced by the last government, funds only school food standards-compliant breakfast food and delivery costs. Schools receive a 75% subsidy from the government and must themselves cover the costs of the remaining 25%. This does not go far enough to support hard-working families and tackle disadvantage.

This is why the department is committed to introducing free breakfast clubs in every school with primary-aged children, with schools receiving funding to cover food, delivery and staffing costs. Our new breakfast clubs are about more than the food. They provide opportunities for children to play and socialise before the start of the school day, supporting children's attendance and attainment and enabling them to thrive academically and socially.

From April 2025, free breakfast clubs are available in up to 750 early adopter schools, as part of a test and learn phase. This goes far beyond the reach of the NSBP in all, and importantly, the most disadvantaged areas. The new breakfast club offer, once rolled out nationally, will be available to every state-funded school with primary-aged children.

The National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP), introduced by the last government, funds only school food standards-compliant breakfast food and delivery costs. Schools receive a 75% subsidy from the government and must themselves cover the costs of the remaining 25%. This does not go far enough to support hard-working families and tackle disadvantage.

This is why the department is committed to introducing free breakfast clubs in every school with primary-aged children, with schools receiving funding to cover food, delivery and staffing costs. Our new breakfast clubs are about more than the food. They provide opportunities for children to play and socialise before the start of the school day, supporting children's attendance and attainment and enabling them to thrive academically and socially.

From April 2025, free breakfast clubs are available in up to 750 early adopter schools, as part of a test and learn phase. This goes far beyond the reach of the NSBP in all, and importantly, the most disadvantaged areas. The new breakfast club offer, once rolled out nationally, will be available to every state-funded school with primary-aged children.

The National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP), introduced by the last government, funds only school food standards-compliant breakfast food and delivery costs. Schools receive a 75% subsidy from the government and must themselves cover the costs of the remaining 25%. This does not go far enough to support hard-working families and tackle disadvantage.

This is why the department is committed to introducing free breakfast clubs in every school with primary-aged children, with schools receiving funding to cover food, delivery and staffing costs. Our new breakfast clubs are about more than the food. They provide opportunities for children to play and socialise before the start of the school day, supporting children's attendance and attainment and enabling them to thrive academically and socially.

From April 2025, free breakfast clubs are available in up to 750 early adopter schools, as part of a test and learn phase. This goes far beyond the reach of the NSBP in all, and importantly, the most disadvantaged areas. The new breakfast club offer, once rolled out nationally, will be available to every state-funded school with primary-aged children.

The department is funding 750 early adopter schools to provide access to a free, universal breakfast club lasting at least 30 minutes. Schools will receive a combination of set-up, fixed-term and per-pupil payments to cover staffing, delivery and food. Funding rates vary depending on uptake and pupil characteristics.

On average, a school with 50% take-up would receive around £23,000 for a full year. The funding model is designed to ensure that allocations reflect actual take up in early adopter schools.

A key aim of the early adopter programme is to test and learn about take-up across a diverse range of schools, to help inform future national rollout.

The department used existing programmes and cost data to determine the funding rates and methodology, which have been tested and refined with a number of schools. It is designed to ensure schools can meet the minimum expectations, including a 30 minute breakfast club with food that meets the school food standards.

The department is funding 750 early adopter schools to provide access to a free, universal breakfast club lasting at least 30 minutes. Schools will receive a combination of set-up, fixed-term and per-pupil payments to cover staffing, delivery and food. Funding rates vary depending on uptake and pupil characteristics.

On average, a school with 50% take-up would receive around £23,000 for a full year. The funding model is designed to ensure that allocations reflect actual take up in early adopter schools.

A key aim of the early adopter programme is to test and learn about take-up across a diverse range of schools, to help inform future national rollout.

The department used existing programmes and cost data to determine the funding rates and methodology, which have been tested and refined with a number of schools. It is designed to ensure schools can meet the minimum expectations, including a 30 minute breakfast club with food that meets the school food standards.

As of February 2025, 341 (21%) of primary schools taking part in the National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) are in the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. Around 22% of primary schools in the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England were taking part in the NSBP as at February 2025.

The department has selected the schools of the breakfast club early adopter scheme to ensure there is a representative sample of primary schools nationally.

This government’s new breakfast clubs are about more than the food. They provide opportunities for children to play and socialise before the start of the school day, supporting children’s attendance and attainment, enabling them to thrive academically and socially.

This is why the department is committed to introducing free breakfast clubs in every school with primary aged children, with schools receiving funding to cover food, delivery and staffing costs. This goes far beyond the reach of the NSBP in all, and importantly, the most disadvantaged areas.

On average, schools on the breakfast club early adopter scheme will get over £21,000 more than schools on the current NSBP.

An average primary school, with 50% take-up, would receive over £23,000 for a full year for an early adopter breakfast club. The amount each school will receive will be based on the number of pupils who accessed the club and the characteristics of pupils.

The department has used existing programmes and costs to determine the funding rates, and this has been tested and refined with a number of schools. One function of the early adopters is to test how schools utilise the funding and understand what support schools need.

As of February 2025, 341 (21%) of primary schools taking part in the National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) are in the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. Around 22% of primary schools in the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England were taking part in the NSBP as at February 2025.

The department has selected the schools of the breakfast club early adopter scheme to ensure there is a representative sample of primary schools nationally.

This government’s new breakfast clubs are about more than the food. They provide opportunities for children to play and socialise before the start of the school day, supporting children’s attendance and attainment, enabling them to thrive academically and socially.

This is why the department is committed to introducing free breakfast clubs in every school with primary aged children, with schools receiving funding to cover food, delivery and staffing costs. This goes far beyond the reach of the NSBP in all, and importantly, the most disadvantaged areas.

On average, schools on the breakfast club early adopter scheme will get over £21,000 more than schools on the current NSBP.

An average primary school, with 50% take-up, would receive over £23,000 for a full year for an early adopter breakfast club. The amount each school will receive will be based on the number of pupils who accessed the club and the characteristics of pupils.

The department has used existing programmes and costs to determine the funding rates, and this has been tested and refined with a number of schools. One function of the early adopters is to test how schools utilise the funding and understand what support schools need.

This government is committed to delivering on our pledge to provide free breakfast clubs in every state-funded school with primary aged children. We have made early progress towards this, announcing that up to 750 early adopter schools will be delivering these new breakfast clubs from April 2025.

Schools will be expected to provide a healthy, nutritious and varied breakfast offer to pupils which will set them up for the school day ahead. The school food standards regulate the food and drink provided throughout the school day, including at breakfast clubs. The school food standards restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar, as well as low quality reformed or reconstituted foods. They ensure that pupils always have healthy options.

The school food standards practical guide provides useful advice for headteachers and governors to ensure that food offered at breakfast clubs is compliant with the school food standards, and is accessible here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-food-standards-resources-for-schools/school-food-standards-practical-guide.

As with all policies, we will keep our approach to school food under continued review.

This government is committed to delivering on our pledge to provide free breakfast clubs in every state-funded school with primary aged children. We have made early progress towards this, announcing that up to 750 early adopter schools will be delivering these new breakfast clubs by April 2025. We are clear on the impact that breakfast clubs can have to support children to arrive at school ready to learn and support working parents. Having a healthy breakfast at a club can help children get the energy they need to start the school day so that they are ready to learn.

The government is committed to delivering on its pledge of breakfast clubs in every state funded school with primary aged pupils. We have made early progress toward this, including announcing that up to 750 early adopters will be delivering these new breakfast clubs from April 2025.

We remain committed to delivering the National School Breakfast Club Programme alongside the early adopters.

Officials are working closely with schools and sector experts to develop a new breakfast clubs programme that meets the needs of pupils, schools and parents. This includes consideration of how best to transition schools from existing to new arrangements. Further details will follow in due course.

The Department has confirmed that the National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) has been extended for an additional year, from July 2023 until July 2024. The Department is currently undertaking market engagement on future arrangements for school breakfast provision for delivery after July 2024.

Any future funding invested by the Department in National Breakfast Clubs is subject to future funding approvals and the outcome of the next Spending Review.

The contract will be awarded to a provider that is able to demonstrate that they can meet the needs of a school taking part in the NSBP. To achieve this, the Department will engage with schools to ensure that the tender process meets the needs of schools that are currently on the NSBP and those looking to join the programme.

Engaging with schools will ensure their views are listened to and influence the evaluation process. This will help retain what is currently working well and improve any areas that may not be meeting the expectations of schools.

In November 2022, the Department extended the National School Breakfast Programme for an additional year until the end of the summer term in 2024.

The Department is concentrating funding of up to £30 million in this programme overall. This funding will support up to 2,500 schools in disadvantaged areas, meaning that thousands of children from low income families will be offered free nutritious breakfasts to better support their attainment and wellbeing. Schools are eligible for the programme if they have 40% or more pupils from disadvantaged households, as measured by the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index. As of March 2022, 3,907 applications from eligible schools had been received. In November 2022, 2,170 schools were participating on the programme.

​​In November 2022, the Department extended the National School Breakfast Programme for an additional year, until the end of the summer term in 2024. £30 million has been set aside to fund this programme. This funding will support up to 2,500 schools in disadvantaged areas, meaning that thousands of children from low-income families will be offered free nutritious breakfasts to better support their attainment, wellbeing, and readiness to learn. Schools are eligible for the programme if they have 40% or more pupils from disadvantaged households, as measured by the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index.

The Government is committed to continuing support for school breakfasts. In November 2022, the Department extended the National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) to the end of the summer term 2024. The Department is allocating £30 million of funding in this programme. This funding will support up to 2,500 schools in disadvantaged areas, meaning that thousands of children from low income families will be offered free nutritious breakfasts to support their attainment, wellbeing, and readiness to learn. Schools are eligible for the programme if they have 40% or more pupils from deprived households, as measured by the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index.

Family Action estimates that 270,000 children are currently receiving a breakfast from the NSBP on an average school day. The NSBP is undertaking data collection with all participating schools and relevant data will be published in due course.

The Government is committed to continuing support for school breakfast clubs and the Department is investing up to £30 million between July 2021 and July 2024 to continue the national programme. This funding will support up to 2,500 schools in disadvantaged areas meaning that thousands of children from low-income families will be offered free nutritious breakfasts to better support their attainment, wellbeing and readiness to learn. The focus of the programme is to target the most disadvantaged areas of the country, including the Department’s Education Investment Areas.

Over 2,100 schools are currently participating in the programme, and the supplier, Family Action, is continuing to recruit more schools. Family Action has estimated that 270,000 children are having a breakfast from the programme on an average school day.

Research shows the positive impact of school breakfasts. An Education Endowment Fund evaluation of the earlier Magic Breakfast programme, found that supporting schools to run a free of charge, universal breakfast club before school delivered an average of 2 months’ additional progress for pupils in Key Stage 1 with moderate to low security. Schools also saw an improvement in pupil behaviour and attendance.

It also found that pupils who attended breakfast clubs had reduced hunger and improved concertation levels in class. Additional positive impacts on pupils’ social development and the way in which they helped some pupils make wider friendship groups and become more confident were also highlighted by schools.

The government is committed to continuing support for school breakfasts and has extended the National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) for an additional year in November. We are investing up to £30 million in our national school breakfast programme until the end of the summer term in 2024. This funding will support up to 2,500 schools in disadvantaged areas, meaning that thousands of children from low-income families will be offered free nutritious breakfasts to better support their attainment and wellbeing.

The department is committed to continuing support for school breakfast clubs and we are investing up to £24 million to continue our national programme until the end of the summer term 2023. This funding will support up to 2,500 schools in disadvantaged areas, meaning that thousands of children from low-income families will be offered free nutritious breakfasts to better support their attainment, wellbeing, and readiness to learn.

Schools are eligible for the programme if they have 40% or more pupils within bands A-F of the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index scale, a nationally recognised indicator of need.

The department does not hold data on school eligibility and food orders at a constituency level.