To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend the National School Breakfast Programme beyond 1 April 2020; and when any such decision will be (1) made, and (2) announced.

The department is investing up to £26 million in a breakfast club programme, using funds from Soft Drinks Industry Levy revenues. This money will kick-start and improve breakfast clubs in over 1,700 schools. The focus of these clubs has been to target the most disadvantaged areas of the country – including the Department for Education’s Opportunity Areas – to help ensure every child gets the best start in life.

A contract was awarded to Family Action in March 2018 and will run until March 2020. Family Action, in partnership with Magic Breakfast, have both been named as the leading charities responsible for running the Breakfast Club programme. Family Action are distributing the appropriate funding to participating schools who meet the eligibility criteria. Family Action has confirmed that they have reached their recruitment target of 1,775 schools.

We monitor management information from the programme on an ongoing basis and will fully review the effectiveness of the programme once the programme concludes, including the number of children attending. Decisions about any funding beyond March 2020 will be taken as part of the upcoming Spending Review.