Half a million more children will benefit from free breakfasts after the education secretary vowed to ‘power up kids’ by launching 2,000 new clubs.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the aim of the breakfast clubs was to not only give pupils a nutritional start to the day but to give working parents more flexibility with their hours.

There are already 750 free breakfast clubs across the UK but the scheme is set to be expanded from April next year.

Applications have not yet opened for the 2,000 extra schools and further details will be announced on the process in the future, the Department for Education said.

Morrisons, Sainsbury, Weetabix and Magic Spoon have stepped up to put their weight behind the scheme with Phillipson visiting Scott Wilkie primary school in Newham, east L

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