Applications for schools to apply for free breakfast clubs have now opened, with funding increased from 60p to £1 per child.
Schools will also receive a guaranteed £25 a day to cover staffing and admin so every type of school can easily deliver a breakfast club. For an average school with 50% take up, the total funding package has increased by 28%.  
The programme prioritises schools with the highest proportion of pupils on free school meals to ensure the benefits are felt where it is most needed.

The government has announced £300,000 of support for coastal regions in the North West.
Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, Stephanie Peacock made the announcement at the Tourism Alliance Annual Conference.
VisitEngland is launching a £300,000 marketing campaign focused on the seaside resorts of the North West coast, with the aim of driving a surge in visits and overnight stays.
The campaign will launch in February 2026, with VisitEngland partnering with an online travel agent who will provide match funding.

The Welsh Government has launched a new plan to embed the benefits of AI across public services and shape its influence to improve the lives of people across Wales.
The Plan will act as a long term roadmap and establish the building blocks for exploring the potential of AI in a responsible, ethical, and collaborative way.
Welsh public services are already using AI for example with personalised learning in schools, automation in local government, and faster diagnoses in the NHS.

MI5 has warned MPs and members of the House of Lords about the threat of espionage from the Chinese state.
House of Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and House of Lords speaker Lord McFall have distributed an espionage alert.
Sir Lindsay warned that Chinese-linked operatives are attempting to disrupt parliamentary processes and exert influence.
He said that China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) has been making contact with people connected to Parliament, aiming to gather intelligence and establish long-term ties.

23 schools have now installed Great British Energy solar panels and are cutting their energy bills.
Over 250 schools have already signed agreements to benefit from a share of up to £100 million in funding from Great British Energy and government for new solar panels and other energy efficiency measures.
The savings from cheaper energy bills can be reinvested in school services, textbooks and teaching.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been extended to include air heat pumps and heat batteries.
The Scheme currently offers grants of £7,500 off the cost of installing an air source or ground source heat pump. The scheme has now been expanded to offer a £2,500 discount off the cost of installing an air-to-air heat pump, which can provide heat in winter and keep you cool in summer.
This is the first time air-conditioning units have been eligible for government funding.