Campaigners want Labour’s key education policy to provide food for all primary aged pupils rather than just in schools

Ministers are coming under mounting pressure to extend free ­breakfast clubs in primary schools to cover pupils in special schools and ­alternative provision to ensure they do not miss out on Labour’s leading education policy.

The government is planning to unveil the children’s wellbeing bill early next year, outlining plans for free breakfast clubs in all primary schools in England. Ministers say the project – one of its key promises before the 4 July general election – will help children concentrate more in school, and make a big contribution to the wider fight against poverty by saving “hard-working parents” more than £400 every year.