Millions of kids to benefit from breakfast clubs as £2.3bn boost for schools revealed in Budget

MILLIONS of kids will benefit from extra breakfast clubs funding thanks to a £2.3billion boost for schools revealed in the Budget.

This afternoon, Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed a range of plans relating to tax rises, benefits and pension payments.

The Autumn Statement provides an update on the government’s plans for the economy.

The Chancellor told the House of Commons she is tripling the investments in breakfast clubs across thousands of schools.

She added that an increase in the core schools budget by £2.3billion will also mean scores more teachers in "key subjects".

The Budget announcement also saw Ms Reeves vow to reform Special Educational Needs provision, with SEND receiving a £1bn funding boost.

The "trick and treat" Halloween package included:

• A freeze to fuel duty for a 15th consecutive year in a win for The Sun's Keep It Down campaign
• A penny off a pint by cutting draught beer duty, but raising booze taxes on other drinks
• A pay rise for millions as the minimum wage was increased by £1,400 a year
• A hike to a packet of cigarettes as smoking duties were raised
• A benefits crackdown with Ms Reeves telling jobless Brits to "get back to work"
• An increase to the state pension of £473 next year through the triple lock
• An inheritance tax raid through freezing the rates people pay
• A increase to the Carer's Allowance to give cash to 60,000 more carers

Ms Reeves said: "I want every child to have the very best start in life and the best possible start to the school day too."

She said Labour are focused on "delivering our key priorities in the first phase of the spending review".

The Chancellor went on to say: "And I know my right honourable friend, the Education Secretary shares my ambition, so I am today tripling investments in breakfast clubs to fund them in thousands of schools.

"I am increasing the core schools budget by 2.3 billion pounds next year to support our pledge to hire thousands more teachers into key subjects so that our young people can develop the skills that they need for the future, I am providing an additional 300 million pounds for further education.

"And finally, this Government is committed to reforming Special Educational Needs provision to improve outcomes for our most vulnerable children, and to ensure that the system is financially sustainable.

"To support that work, I am today providing a 1 billion pound uplift in funding, a 6% real terms increase from this year."

Responding to the announcement, Labour MP David Taylor said: “Despairing parents in my Hertfordshire patch have told me about how their kids have spent years out of the classroom because of the dire state of SEND provisions.

“After 14 years of the Tories gutting vital support services, this is a great start to rebuilding and giving our wonderful SEND pupils the help they deserve and need.

“I will continue pushing for even more.”

At today's Budget the Chancellor also confirmed there will be "no higher taxes at the petrol pumps next year".

But Brits will still suffer from a whopping £40bn in tax rises, including huge hikes to fag and soft drink duties.

In a blow for smokers, there will be a 10% levy rise on rollies.

And there will be a one off- increase in tobacco duty "to maintain the incentive to give up smoking".

But in a major boost for pubs, alcoholic drinks served on draught will benefit from a 1.7% tax cut, taking a "penny off a pint in the pub".

And in a "rabbit out of the hat" moment, millions of workers will benefit from an unfreezing of income tax thresholds in 2028.