Schools are being urged to join the government's new breakfast club programme.

Labour MP Josh MacAlister and Cumberland Council education lead Councillor Elaine Lynch are encouraging schools to sign up for the initiative, which is set to launch in April 2025.

Cumbrian schools can apply to be one of 750 schools in this 'early adopter' rollout.

The initiative will provide families in Cumberland with 30 minutes of childcare before the start of the school day, as well as free breakfast for each child.

Councillor Lynch said: "Free breakfast clubs are great for parents, great for kids, and great for our economy too.

"Labour’s breakfast clubs will make a huge difference for families in Cumberland.

"They make it easier for busy mums and dads to make the time for work and dropping off the kids, they ensure children don’t start school hungry, and they help families with the cost of living too."

The initiative focuses on providing children with access to breakfast before school and supporting families with childcare costs outside school hours.

According to Mr MacAlister and Ms Lynch, more than 2 in 5 non-working mothers say that they would prefer to work if they could arrange good quality, convenient, reliable and affordable childcare, and over half of parents say they have problems finding formal childcare for their child that is flexible enough to fit their needs.

Mr MacAlister said: "Labour was elected to change Britain and this is exactly what that means.

"This is a huge opportunity for local schools to get in early and start reaping the benefits of free breakfast clubs from April next year.

"From helping with flexible working for families, to improving behaviour and attendance, the supportive start to the day that breakfast clubs provide will help drive high and rising standards for every child."

Schools that become early adopters will have the opportunity to shape breakfast club policy, and contribute to its implementation.

The wider paid-for wraparound childcare offer – for all primary children to be able to access childcare between 8am and 6pm – continues to roll out across the country.