Posted on: 2nd July 2025

Youngsters in Armley are benefiting from a pilot initiative introducing free breakfast clubs in schools to help families affected by the cost of living crisis.

Leeds West MP and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves today visited youngsters at Christ Church Upper Armley Primary School to see how the pilot scheme was progressing.

The pilot, which started in April, involves 750 schools across the country and is estimated to save parents up to £450 a year. It also provides youngsters with free access to a healthy breakfast and supports families with additional childcare.

Christ Church headteacher Sam Collier said the daily breakfast club was providing a lifeline for many families.

The school used to attract around seven to 10 children to its original breakfast club, which cost 50p per session, but the new free scheme is on some days attracting more than 50 youngsters.

Children get to play games, use craft materials or build things with Lego, as well as having a healthy breakfast which includes fruit.

“We’ve discovered they love watermelon and they enjoy trying different types of bread,” Ms Collier told WLD.

She said that added benefits are that children are calmer in classes and that overall attendance at the school had also improved.

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