The government’s landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act received Royal Assent on Wednesday 29 April 2026, delivering on manifesto promises to cut costs for families, protect vulnerable children, and drive higher standards from early years to adulthood.

Families could save up to £1,000 a year as new laws require schools to cap branded uniform items to three, make half a million more children eligible for free school meals, and open over 2,000 free breakfast clubs all from September 2026. All schools will also now be required by law to ban mobile phones.

Further measures include sibling relationships being given equal status to parental relationships for children in care, Staying Close support extended to all councils for care leavers up to age 25, and life-saving allergy pens to be stocked by schools for the first time.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “This landmark legislation fixes the foundations in our schools, puts money back into parents’ pockets, and provides critical new protections for our most vulnerable children.”