What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The Tory Government has been forced to admit there will be no new money for school breakfast clubs in a humiliating u-turn days after promising a “funding boost” of £26 million.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds announced on 19 March “more children across the country will get a healthy and nutritious breakfast to set them up for the school day thanks to an investment of up to £26 million”.

But questions by Labour have revealed that the money has already been pledged by the Tories.

This is the latest in a series of embarrassments for the Conservatives on this issue, from the controversial promise of a “7p breakfast” in the election campaign, to abandoning their commitment to end universal infant free school meals following pressure from the Labour opposition.

Just weeks ago, Mr Hinds was forced to retract claims that the Government was increasing school funding and that no schools faced cash cuts after a rebuke from the statistics watchdog.

(Image: Barcroft Media)

The Education Secretary personally announced the £26 million for breakfast clubs on 19 March, but avoided mentioning that the funding had already been announced months ago and that the money will be spread over three years.

But on 26 March Education Minister Nadhim Zahawi was forced to admit the Government was repeating an old commitment in answer to a written question asked by Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner.

Tory ministers have previously revealed the £26 million, which comes from a tax on sugary drinks, will be spread over three years with £1 million in 2017-18, £12.5 million in 2018-19, and £12.5 million in 2019-20.

Since there are 4.7m primary school pupils in England, £12.5m amounts to less than 1p per day per pupil.

Labour’s Angela Rayner said: “Once again, the Education Secretary has been caught trying to fiddle the figures rather than face the facts.”

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

“The so-called new money for breakfasts isn’t new, is spread over years and isn’t remotely enough to make up for the children being denied free school meals under the Tories’ Universal Credit.

“The Education Secretary has already been slapped down by the statistics watchdog for wrongly claiming that schools are getting more money when the Tories have cut billions from their budgets. Now another one of his claims is falling apart.”

Tim Roache, General Secretary of the GMB trade union which represents school catering staff, blasted the Tories: “Playing politics with meals for hungry kids is beyond the pale. No one is going to be fooled by smoke and mirrors when we struggling families know the reality. It’s time for Ministers to stop messing about and put sorely needed money the facilities and staff we need to provide healthy meals.

“How can feeding kids who need a warm meal in their belly even be a point of debate?”