A motion calling for Harrow Council to support free breakfast clubs for all primary school children will be debated at the upcoming annual budget meeting this evening. The motion, proposed by Labour Councillor Stephen Hickman, Shadow Portfolio Holder for Education and Children’s Services, aims to back the government’s plan to provide free breakfasts in state-funded primary schools.
Councillor Hickman’s motion highlights the benefits of free breakfast clubs, including improved academic attainment, attendance, social skills, behaviour, and overall wellbeing. He also points to the role these clubs play in easing financial pressures on families, particularly during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
“I am proud to be submitting the motion supporting the universal rollout of free breakfast clubs for all primary school children on behalf of our residents and school children. Access to a free breakfast has significant benefits for young children, including improving their academic attainment, attendance, social skills, behaviour and overall wellbeing.
“Free breakfast club provision is especially important given the cost-of-living crisis, as it alleviates pressures on struggling families and provides flexibility for parents to work the hours and jobs they choose. Harrow has many families who would greatly benefit from universal free breakfast provision, particularly those facing financial hardship or challenges in accessing affordable childcare.
“I hope that Conservative Councillors will support this motion to demonstrate a united front from Harrow in support of young children and struggling families who need our support now more than ever,” said Councillor Hickman.
While the motion has received broad support, amendments have been proposed by Conservative councillors to ensure financial safeguards are in place.
Leader of Harrow Council, Councillor Paul Osborn said: “We of course support the idea of free breakfast clubs for Harrow’s children and young people. Our only concern is that this project requires proper funding by central government. There have been several reports in the news and from education professionals that many of the schools that have taken part in this scheme are not receiving enough funding from the government to deliver the free breakfast clubs. At present, schools are on average only receiving 60p per pupil to pay for their breakfast, which is clearly not enough. As a result, some of these schools who chose to be early adopters of the free breakfast clubs have now dropped out of the project as the shortfall in funding would have to be paid for by the school or local council.
“So, while we will support the Labour Councillors’ motion in principle, we have added safeguards to caveat our support on the basis that we receive adequate funding to provide the free breakfast clubs. It would not be fair for our local schools’, or the council’s, already tightly stretched budgets to be put under further pressure due to lack of funding by the government for their own policy.”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
