UK boosts free breakfast scheme for more disadvantaged pupils

Thousands more disadvantaged school pupils will be offered free morning meals after the extension of two programs addressing child hunger, the British government has said.

With 11.8 millon and 9 million pounds (15.4 million and 11.7 million U.S. dollars) new funds respectively, the National School Breakfast Programme, together with the Holiday Activities and Food scheme, have been extended for another year.

The new investment supports up to 650 new schools to kick start or improve their breakfast provision, with resources specifically targeted at the most disadvantaged areas.

According to government statistics, in 2017 and 2018 an estimated 4.1 million children in Britain were living in relative poverty -- representing nearly a third of all children.