THE Scottish Government has announced £15 million to expand school breakfast clubs as part of its bid to “eradicate child poverty”.
The funding will be shared among each of Scotland’s local authorities, helping them to create free breakfast clubs for children, and is hoped will help families save money.
The investment builds on the Scottish Government's Bright Start Breakfasts programme which has supported 485 breakfast clubs, creating around 9000 places and benefiting up to 20,000 children during the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years.
The announcement follows the opening of new breakfast clubs in East Lothian, at East Linton and in Letham Mains with the Government committing to investing £44 million annually from 2027/28 to deliver free breakfast clubs in primary schools across Scotland.
Ahead of a visit to a breakfast club in East Lothian, 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.”
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) spokesman for children and young people, Tony Buchanan, added: “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.”
