A plan to provide free breakfast clubs to all primary school children as part of a comprehensive early years and child poverty strategy has been welcomed by Toby Perkins MP.

A number of Chesterfield constituents have written to Toby expressing their concerns over both the shortage and increased costs of childcare, as well as the potential for children to go hungry during the school day as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. At a time when 800,000 children are living in poverty, Chesterfield constituents are right to press their representatives to push the government to do more for families struggling during this crisis.

Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has announced a ‘fully funded’ scheme, pledging £365 million pounds to make sure all primary school children start their days right, with a proper breakfast. At the same time, the scheme will deliver early-morning childcare for parents struggling to drop their children off and get to work.

Affordable childcare is crucial to ensuring our children are properly looked after without parents having to meet soaring costs. It is part of Labour’s wider ‘Stronger Future for Families’ Plan, which will:

· Revitalise youth and children services left behind by Conservative cuts

· Get young families on the housing ladder by building more affordable homes

· Give parents and guardians the time and space to care

Toby said of the plan: ‘Free breakfast clubs are a bold step to help parents with soaring childcare bills, and make sure primary school kids are fed and ready for the day’.

‘I’m proud that Labour has a dynamic vision for children, parents and families, and I’m excited to see the day that a Labour Government makes this vision a reality’.