THE organisation behind local food banks has warned that breakfast club plans will not solve families facing financial difficulties.
The Government has drawn up proposals to pilot the new daily sessions at 750 clubs across England.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the breakfast clubs would have a “transformative impact” on children.
She added:
“Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of our Plan for Change, breaking the link between background and success for families all over the country.
“Breakfast clubs can have a transformative impact on the lives of children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds, so every child begins the day ready to learn.”
But Helen Barnard, director of policy at the Trussell Trust, said greater action is needed to ensure the financial hardships facing people across the country are being addressed.
She said:
“While we welcome the introduction of breakfast clubs, without wider investment in social security their positive effects will be blunted.
“A free breakfast is not a substitute for parents having enough money to cover the essentials their family needs.
“Rumoured cuts to social security are likely to drive up hunger and hardship, undercutting the positive impacts of introducing breakfast clubs.
“It is simply not acceptable that a generation of young people are growing up with a food bank in every town.”
The Trussell Trust, which supports food banks in Lichfield and Burntwood, said its research showed that one in five UK children are facing hunger and hardship.
Helen added:
“Our community of food banks are continuing to support exceptionally high numbers of families who are struggling to make ends meet. That’s why we urge the Government to recognise this and take decisive action now.
“An important first step would be to scrap the two-child limit and urgently update our social security system to make sure everyone can afford the essentials.”
