Primary school children across Scotland will have greater access to free breakfast clubs from August 2027 as councils share £15 million to expand and improve existing provision.
First Minister John Swinney announced the funding as part of plans to give children a healthy start to the school day while helping families with the continuing pressure of household costs.
Local authorities will decide how the additional money is used to expand and enhance breakfast provision according to the needs of their communities.
The investment follows the opening of new breakfast clubs at East Linton and Letham Mains in East Lothian during the Scottish Government’s first 100 days in office.
Breakfast clubs are intended to ensure pupils can begin lessons having eaten while also providing practical support for working parents and carers through earlier school drop off.
The Scottish Government is presenting the expansion as part of its wider efforts to tackle child poverty and reduce costs for families, alongside measures including free school meals.
First Minister John Swinney said:
“No child should start the school day hungry.
“I have seen first-hand the real impact and benefits that the breakfast clubs provide to pupils, parents and teachers.
“They give children a healthy start to the day, helping to ensure they are ready to engage and learn in class.
“For parents and carers, breakfast clubs allow for an early drop off at school while easing the pressure on family budgets at a time when rising bills and living costs continue to bite.
“The Scottish Government is continuing to do all it can to eradicate child poverty and put more money in people’s pockets.
“Alongside measures such as free school meals, these free breakfast clubs will help ensure more children are supported to succeed at school, regardless of their background.”
The £15 million will be distributed among councils, giving individual local authorities responsibility for shaping breakfast provision around demand in their own areas.
COSLA Spokesperson for Children and Young People, Councillor Tony Buchanan, said:
“Local authorities deliver a wide range of services for children and families and are best placed to understand and respond to the needs of their communities.
“This agreement provides an opportunity for local authorities to expand and enhance breakfast provision in a way which meets local need.
“I look forward to continuing to work together to support our children, young people, and families across Scotland.”
The expanded provision is due to begin from August next year, bringing free breakfast clubs to more primary school pupils and providing another source of practical support for families before the school day begins.
