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A group of MPs from various parties, predominantly Labour, has called for increased and safeguarded funding for schools to better accommodate the growing demand for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, as significant reforms to the system are under consideration by the government. These MPs emphasized the need to align financial resources more closely with actual demand and advocated for budgets that are protected against inflation, aiming to ensure schools have the means to provide timely and appropriate assistance to pupils requiring additional help.
The government, on its part, acknowledges the pressures on the SEND system, which many regard as being in a state of crisis due to rising costs. The Department for Education (DfE) has highlighted plans to increase school funding by £1.7 billion in the 2026-27 fiscal year, though there are concerns that this increase may not fully address the financial strains caused by escalating SEND expenses. Further complicating the funding landscape is a recent government decision to assume responsibility for SEND costs that were previously borne by local councils starting in 2028, an adjustment projected to add approximately £6 billion in pressure to the education budget. An analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies outlined three main options for the government to handle this challenge: boosting overall education funding, implementing reforms to slow SEND spending growth, or imposing cuts.
Within this context, there is apprehension among parents and some Labour MPs who fear that reforms could restrict access to essential SEND support. Neil Duncan-Jordan, the Labour MP for Poole, underscored the importance of improvements being motivated by quality enhancement rather than cost-cutting. He stressed the necessity of parental support for the reforms, warning that alienating families would be counterproductive. Local authorities are legally required to meet the needs of eligible pupils but are struggling with the financial consequences of increasing demand. Currently, over 1.7 million children in England have special educational needs, and public spending on high-needs children has nearly doubled from £7.5 billion in 2016 to £12 billion in 2025. While a government policy paper proposing changes to SEND provision has been delayed, it is expected to be released soon.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on SEND, which submitted proposals to the Department for Education last year, insists that real-term funding reductions have eroded core school and special education budgets, warning that restoring and protecting early intervention funding is critical. The group also advocates for aligning national SEND policies with present-day needs, bolstered investment in early years, and the development of a national workforce plan dedicated to SEND. As officials engage with Labour MPs to seek consensus ahead of upcoming reforms, there remains robust opposition to scrapping Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which legally guarantee tailored support to pupils with high needs. Labour MP Jen Craft, vice-chair of the APPG and mother of a disabled child, highlighted inefficiencies in the current system and pushed for improved early intervention and inclusive mainstream education as potential means to both better support children and reduce high-cost support demands. The APPG continues to engage with constituents to shape policy from the ground up.
While scrutiny and calls for reform span across Westminster, political parties differ in their approaches. The Conservatives and the Green Party have yet to outline clear positions, whereas the Liberal Democrats have proposed principles centered on fair funding systems that encourage schools to accept SEND pupils. Reform UK is developing its own SEND policies, with suggestions expected soon, including views that focus on reforming the system rather than providing additional funding. The Department for Education maintains it is committed to improving outcomes for children with SEND, highlighting investments such as £200 million toward training all teachers in SEND and a £3 billion commitment to create 50,000 specialist school places. The department emphasizes that reforms will prioritize inclusive education and early support, aiming to ensure children can thrive in schools that meet their individual needs within their local communities
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