Our breakfast clubs make a big difference

For kids, parents, teachers, says Bridget

- BY MIKEY SMITH Deputy Political Editor

FREE breakfast clubs for primary schools “was never something the Tories were going to do” and shows the difference a Labour government is making, claims Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.

And she is adamant there will be no cuts to free school meals for infants despite claims they could be under threat in the upcoming spending review.

Ms Phillipson spoke to the Mirror on the eve of the clubs being rolled out to the first 750 “early adopter” schools a move that will save parents up to £450 a year.

"It's something the Tories failed to do over many, many years," she said. "The one education idea they have is to bring back tax breaks for private schools. That would jeopardise all the investment we're putting into free breakfast clubs and school-based nurseries and into our schools overall."

Ms Phillipson said the clubs, which will have schools open half an hour early to give children a nutritious breakfast, was an example of Labour making "different choices".