New funding will allow every primary pupil in Scotland to access
a breakfast club, the First Minister has said.
The Scottish Budget will provide an additional £15 million in
2026-27 to expand breakfast club provision and help schools,
councils and third sector partners prepare for the introduction
of universal breakfast club services by August 2027. The Scottish
Government then plans to invest £44 million per year from 2027-28
to deliver the clubs for all primary school children in Scotland
who want to access them. Every pupil attending a school
specifically for children with additional support needs will also
benefit.
Breakfast clubs not only give children a nutritious meal before
school starts, they can also help improve school attendance and
confidence in children, and the option of an early drop-off means
parents have more flexibility so they can work or study.
First Minister said:
“My government is focused on delivering the priorities of the
people of Scotland and through our budget, we are acting to
provide help with the cost of living and doing all we can to
eradicate child poverty.
“We know extending the school day before and after class can help
children and their parents, particularly families who might be
struggling with balancing the demands of getting to work early as
well as the cost of the weekly food shop.
“Breakfast clubs are a perfect example of how we can give
families the option of some extra support. Children can get a
healthy start to their day as they eat breakfast and play with
their friends, while parents are better able to get to work, or
to take up training or study, knowing their children are being
well looked after – there are clear benefits for the whole
family.
“That is why we will invest £44 million each year to deliver a
national breakfast club programme across all primary and special
schools from August 2027, with the Scottish Budget investing £15
million in the coming year to support the expansion and help
partners prepare.”
Background
Scottish Budget 2026-27 -
gov.scot
Scottish Government funding through the Bright Start Breakfasts
programme currently supports 490 clubs and up to 20,000 children.
The 2026-27 Scottish Budget will provide £3 million to continue
to support existing Bright Start Breakfasts clubs and a further
£15 million to help prepare for expanded provision from August
2027.
A universal breakfast club offer will be available to all
children attending primary or special schools in Scotland.
