More children across Scarborough and Whitby to benefit as schools join free breakfast club programme
Alison Hume MP has welcomed news that more children and families within her Scarborough and Whitby constituency are set to benefit as the government’s free breakfast clubs programme continues its roll-out.
Friarage and Barrowcliff schools have now both signed-up to the initiative, joining St Peter’s VC Academy, St George’s VC Academy, Fylingdales Church of England Primary, Hawsker-cum-Stainsacre Church of England Primary and Ruswarp Church of England Primary who were the area’s early-adopters.
With the latest phase of the landmark scheme being rolled-out in April, nearly 950 children from across the two towns and surrounding villages Ms Hume represents will soon be guaranteed a nutritious meal and structured start to learning at the beginning of their school day.
Ms Hume said: “I’m delighted that two more schools are going to be providing Best Start breakfast clubs.
“When I visited Fylingdales School’s free breakfast club, not only did I enjoy some excellent fruit kebabs, I saw how popular it was with the children as well as their parents.
“I’m delighted the government’s roll out of the free clubs has extended to Friarage and Barrowcliff Primary Schools.
“Even more children will be guaranteed to start their school days nourished and ready to thrive.”
As well as helping children themselves, breakfast clubs forms part of a wider national effort to ease the pressure on family finances and break down the barriers to opportunity.
By offering reliable, universal provision in areas facing the greatest challenges, the programme aims to support children’s wellbeing and long‑term development.
Research consistently shows that regular access to breakfast clubs has a positive impact on attendance, concentration, behaviour, and overall attainment.
This year, the programme is expected to reach up to half a million pupils in some of England’s most disadvantaged communities, offering vital support where it can make the biggest difference.
For families in Scarborough and Whitby, which contains North Yorkshire’s most deprived areas, it is estimated that breakfast clubs could save parents up to £450 annually.
Many also report that the 30 minutes of supervised care the clubs provide either make it easier for them to get to work on time or find employment.
Ms Hume said: “The breakfast clubs are part of the government’s ‘Plan for Change’, which is boosting the work choices of parents and children’s life-chances.”