Breakfast Can’t Wait
Every child in Scotland should be hungry to learn – not hungry for food.
But for thousands, breakfast is not guaranteed. That’s a problem we can fix – and a promise that Scotland has already made.
The promise has been made. Let’s make sure it reaches every child who needs it.
In 2021, the Scottish Government committed to providing free school breakfasts for all primary and ASN pupils.
With the launch of the Bright Start Breakfasts Fund, Scotland has taken the first step to begin the journey – but without a clear national plan, a timeline, or full funding, the promise remains unfulfilled.
Every morning, too many children in Scotland arrive at school too hungry to concentrate, participate, or thrive. Hunger holds children back. But a simple, universal school breakfast can transform the start of their day – giving them the fuel to learn, grow, and succeed.
Universal, stigma-free, for every child
School breakfasts are not a ‘nice-to-have.’ They are a proven, practical public service – like school lunches or free prescriptions. They work best when they’re universal, available to every child, stigma-free, and built into the school day.
New survey results shows strong public support too, with 63% agreeing that breakfast should be offered to all ages, not just the youngest. Universal free school breakfast is an investment in Scotland’s future that will pay for itself many times over by improving life chances and reducing pressure on public services.
As our breakfast entitlement is universal it benefits all of our children, who can choose what they would like to eat. It promotes health and wellbeing, provides a nurturing start to their day and a chance to chat whilst having breakfast.”
Teacher, Magic Breakfast partner school, Scotland
Polling shows 92% of Scottish adults agree that every child should have access to school breakfast.
The £3 million pathfinder is a welcome start – but without a long-term plan, that promise remains unfulfilled.
Providing school breakfasts improves attainment, behaviour and wellbeing.
Breakfast has the potential to return £50 for every £1 invested.
Scotland has made a promise, now it needs a plan – a costed roadmap to reach every child by 2031.
You can play your part
Scotland has big ambitions to end child poverty, but right now the cost-of-living crisis is putting even more pressure on families. With the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections coming up, political leaders have a chance to commit to a proven, practical step that will make a real difference: universal school breakfast provision.
Join the Breakfast Can’t Wait campaign and call on the Scottish Government to build on its promise. Together, we can make sure every child in Scotland starts the day with the breakfast they need – because breakfast can’t wait, and nor should our children.
Campaign news
-
NewsYour questions answered: Is the government funding school breakfast now?
-
CampaignsFrom the classroom to No.10, children and young people demand breakfast for all
-
CampaignsFrom the classroom to Downing Street – children and young people call for a more inclusive school breakfast policy
-
PolicyAn open letter to the House of Lords: Make breakfast accessible to SEND students