We want Lambeth to be the best place for children and young people to grow up, where every child feels safe, supported, and able to thrive in a place full of opportunity.
When the Conservative government refused to fund free school meals, Lambeth Labour stepped in to fund them. We now support thousands of children with free school meals and food-and-fun programmes during the school holidays, helping families manage rising living costs and giving children the best start in life.
This is what that looks like in practice:
- Strong local schools: Every Lambeth secondary school is rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, giving families confidence in local education.
- Free school meals: Thousands of Lambeth children receive free school meals, saving families around £600 per child each year and bringing £3 million of extra funding into local schools.
- More SEND support: We’ve nearly doubled SEND funding to almost £10 million, expanded local provision, and are planning new special school places at the former Kings Avenue School site in Clapham.
- Free breakfast clubs: Four new primary school breakfast clubs are already open, with more on the way, saving families up to £450 a year and helping children start the day settled and ready to learn.
- Affordable childcare: Nearly 4,000 more Lambeth children now benefit from 30 hours of free childcare each week. Since last September, families with children aged 9 months to 2 years are saving up to £7,500 a year thanks to Labour.
We know how important this support is for families who are juggling work, rising living costs, and busy family life. Lambeth Labour is committed to making sure children and young people have the best opportunities possible, and that parents have local, affordable options they can rely on.
In 2022, we pledged to work to end child poverty and make Lambeth the best borough to grow up and age well in. We are working hard to ensure we deliver on that.