Current status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 14 July 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to its news release of 14 January 2026, Expansion of breakfast clubs, whether it will clarify the difference in wording between the references to the “introduction of universal breakfast club services by August 2027” and “a national breakfast club programme across all primary and special schools from August 2027”, including the distinction between “by” and “from”, and confirm (a) which description most accurately reflects its policy intention and (b) when the services will begin.
The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring access to breakfast clubs for all primary school age children in Scotland by August 2027. Around 50% of primary schools in Scotland already have breakfast provision in place. To support further expansion, the Scottish Government is investing £15 million in 2026-27. From 2027-28, £44 million will be invested annually to support implementation of the national breakfast clubs offer.
The policy intention is that a breakfast club offer will be available nationally across all primary and special schools from the academic year 2027-28 beginning in August 2027. As part of the additional £15 million investment in 2026-27, to support a phased delivery of that offer, many children will have access to a breakfast club before that date.