PRESSURE piled on Labour to drop the two-child benefit cap today after Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said it was her “purpose” to ensure no child grows up in poverty.

Speaking at her party’s conference, she announced that breakfast clubs will roll out from next April.

She pledged to boost “life chances for children and work choices for parents” and said the first of 3,000 new school-based nurseries will open from next year.

Tax breaks for private schools will also come to an end within 100 days, she said, adding it will “drive high and rising standards” for state school pupils.

National Education Union general secretary Daniel Kebede said: “One of the biggest differences Labour could make would be to tackle child poverty.

“The two-child benefit cap simply must go. It would lift thousands out of poverty overnight. 

“Free breakfast clubs are welcome, but Labour must be bold and follow the example of London and Wales with universal free school meals for all primary-aged children.”

Sutton Trust founder Sir Peter Lampl welcomed the government’s scheme to set up new nurseries but said: “We now urgently need a plan to equalise entitlements for children from poorer backgrounds. 

“These children stand to benefit most from early years education but are excluded from expanded provision.”

NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: “It’s vitally important that the new government invests in restoring wraparound support to remove barriers to learning.

“Rebuilding a world-class education system will require the new government to work in partnership with unions and employers to secure a New Deal for children’s education, and it was welcome to hear the Education Secretary’s commitment to doing so.”