Bridget Phillipson expressed frustration over the distraction caused by ongoing discussions on Labour leadership and the Peter Mandelson controversy, which she believes are overshadowing critical policies. As the Education Secretary, she highlighted the milestone achievement of serving 10 million free breakfasts to children in new clubs across England. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on families and reduce the challenges of morning childcare.
Despite this positive development, the current state of the Labour Party, with Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham competing to succeed Keir Starmer, poses a divisive backdrop. Phillipson emphasized the government’s commitment to lifting a record number of children out of poverty through measures like ending the two-child limit and extending free school meals to all families on Universal Credit.
Addressing concerns about the leadership chatter, Phillipson underscored the importance of focusing on substantial achievements for families. She commended The Mirror for advocating the expansion of free school meals to ensure children have access to nutritious meals. Moreover, she highlighted the significant expansion of childcare support, which has put thousands of pounds back into families’ pockets.
Phillipson also expressed disappointment in Wes Streeting’s revival plans for Sure Start centers, contrasting them with the current Best Start Family Hubs initiative. She emphasized the need to adapt to the changing landscape of parenting and acknowledged the evolving needs of families in 2026.
Regarding Reform UK’s stance on breakfast clubs, Phillipson criticized the party’s priorities, noting their support for tax breaks for private schools while opposing free breakfast programs. She highlighted the government’s commitment to providing free breakfast clubs in all state primary schools by 2029, benefiting hundreds of thousands of children and saving families money and time.
In a separate development, Rachel Reeves launched the Great British Summer Saving scheme, which includes VAT reductions on children’s meals and entertainment, free bus travel for children aged five to 15 in August, and other family-friendly initiatives. Phillipson will communicate the progress of the breakfast club rollout to schools across England in the coming weeks.