Reform UK faces criticism following a party official’s negative comments on Labour’s provision of free breakfast clubs, suggesting that parents should take responsibility for ensuring their children start the day well. Linden Kemkaran, the leader of Reform’s Kent Council Council, expressed his belief on social media that it is the parents’ duty to give their children the best possible start to the school day.
Free breakfast clubs offer at least 30 minutes of complimentary childcare and a nutritious breakfast before the school day begins. According to the Department for Education (DfE), these clubs can save working parents up to £450 annually.
A spokesperson for the Labour party commented that while promoting work and responsibility should be supported, Reform UK seems more inclined to criticize rather than advocate for initiatives like breakfast clubs that benefit working families. They emphasized that breakfast clubs play a vital role in preparing children for the school day and enabling parents to work to support their families. Labour also highlighted the presence of 29 breakfast clubs in Kent, with plans for additional clubs in the future.
In April, Labour expanded its flagship program to include 500 more schools, benefiting around 300,000 students. This expansion followed a successful pilot program involving 750 schools the previous year, with more schools set to join from September. Labour has pledged to establish a free breakfast club in every primary school in England by the end of the Parliament.
Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, praised the positive impact of free breakfast clubs, noting how they are transforming morning routines nationwide and assisting parents in getting to work. She emphasized the importance of offering practical support to combat outdated stigmas and help families facing financial challenges.
The Department for Education highlighted that free breakfast clubs provide parents with childcare support at the beginning of the school day without additional costs. This allows parents to drop off their children earlier, facilitating their work schedules and giving them extra time to manage busy mornings. The recent rollout of clubs prioritized schools with a high percentage of pupils on free school meals to ensure that those in greatest need benefit first.
Reform UK chose not to provide a response to the criticism.
