Parents could save £1,200 a year in school cost shake-up

More than three million children from families receiving Universal Credit will now benefit from free school meals as the new school term begins.

The Government says families benefiting from free school meals, breakfast clubs and cheaper uniforms could save up to £1,200 a year .

Eligible working parents using government-funded childcare could save even more - up to £8,000 a year.

The package comes as parents face another round of costly school expenses, from uniforms and lunches to childcare and transport.

New research cited by the Government found that many parents are still being forced to make difficult choices to make ends meet during term time.

Around one in three have reportedly cut back on treats and snacks or turned to batch cooking to stretch their budgets, while one in 10 have used a food bank or community service for support.

More than 80 per cent of parents said support including free breakfast clubs, free school meals and childcare would help ease pressure on family finances.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said: "For parents the start of term can be one of the most expensive times of the year. From school uniforms and lunches to childcare and all the other costs that come with a new term, the bills can quickly add up.

"But this week families will finally start to feel the benefit of our support back in their pockets.

"Through our historic expansion of free school meals, more free breakfast clubs, childcare support and action on school uniform costs, we’re helping ease the back-to-school squeeze with thousands of savings that give parents the breathing space they need.

"That breathing space means families can focus on what matters most: helping their children learn, grow and thrive, while I focus on delivering an education system that gives every child a clear route to success."

1,400 breakfast clubs opening

From today, September, 1,400 new Free Breakfast Clubs will open across the country.

The Government says the clubs will provide children with a healthy meal before school while helping parents save on before-school childcare and reducing pressure during the morning school run.

The expansion of free school meals is also intended to ensure children arrive at school well-fed and ready to learn.

Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust, said: "These measures are a significant step towards taking hunger out of the classroom.

"Children can’t learn effectively when hungry, so these efforts will help tackle the effects of child poverty, as well as improving education outcomes for disadvantaged young people.

"Giving free school meals to all families who are eligible for Universal Credit is also easier for parents to understand, so has the potential to increase take up rates.

"It’s not ‘job done’ on ending child poverty of course, but these collective initiatives mean a genuine improvement in the cost of living for many families around the UK.

Scotland rolls out universal breakfast clubs

Scotland is also preparing to expand breakfast clubs, with every primary school pupil able to access a breakfast club by August 2027 under plans announced by First Minister John Swinney.

The offer will be available to children attending primary and special schools, with the Government saying breakfast clubs will provide a nutritious start to the day while giving parents greater flexibility to work or study.

The existing Bright Start Breakfasts programme currently supports 490 clubs and up to 20,000 children across Scotland.

Wales continues free breakfasts at participating primary schools

Wales already has a Free Primary School Breakfast Initiative, allowing participating primary schools to offer a free breakfast to all children who want to take part.

The scheme is open to pupils attending schools that operate the programme, with breakfasts including healthy cereal, milk, toast or bread and fruit or fruit juice.

Parents can find out whether the scheme is available by contacting their child’s primary school, which distributes the relevant application forms.

Thousands more childcare places

The Government is also delivering 9,000 childcare places from September 2026 , alongside around 450 new or expanded school-based nurseries .

The aim is to make childcare easier to access and reduce the need for parents to make multiple drop-offs during the morning school run.

The measures form part of a wider package aimed at reducing everyday costs for families, including support with transport and household energy bills.

The Government will also publish new school food standards by the end of September , marking the first overhaul of school food standards in more than a decade.

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Anna Taylor, executive director of The Food Foundation, said: "It is great to see the extension of Free School Meals to all families in England receiving Universal Credit is finally here! It’s something we have been campaigning for, for seven years.

"This will relieve struggling families and will mean 500,000 extra children will be protected from going hungry. If done right Free School Meals can protect children’s health and fuel their learning.

"In order to make the most of this huge opportunity government needs to ensure nutritious food is served in schools and must introduce robust monitoring.

"The Food Foundation is a partner on The School Food Project, which will be offering support to schools in order to achieve those goals."