MPs Urge Increased Funding for Special Education to Meet Rising Demand

United Kingdom - Ekhbary News Agency

MPs Urge Increased Funding for Special Education to Meet Rising Demand

A collective of UK MPs has issued an urgent plea for increased and protected funding for special educational needs (SEND) services, citing a substantial rise in demand for support. The cross-party group, predominantly composed of Labour MPs, is urging the government to "align funding to need" and ensure schools receive "inflation-proofed" budgets as part of its planned overhaul of SEND provision across England. This push for enhanced financial commitment comes at a critical juncture, as ministers deliberate on reforms for a system widely considered to be in crisis, grappling with escalating costs and increasing need.

The Department for Education (DfE) has acknowledged the situation, stating its commitment to investing more in schools to improve outcomes for children with special educational needs. While the department highlighted an intended increase of £1.7 billion in school funding for 2026-27, analysis suggests that budgets may remain tight once the rising costs associated with SEND are factored in. Compounding the financial pressures, the government plans to assume responsibility for SEND costs currently borne by local councils from 2028, a move projected to create an additional £6 billion fiscal pressure.

Recent analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has outlined three potential avenues for the government to address this impending financial strain: increasing overall education funding, implementing reforms designed to slow the rate of SEND spending growth, or resorting to budget cuts. However, there is a palpable risk of significant backlash from parents and MPs if reforms are perceived as limiting support for children with special needs. Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan, who has a history of challenging government welfare reforms, emphasized that any changes to SEND provision must prioritize system improvement over cost-saving measures.

"We need buy-in from parents for this to work," stated Duncan-Jordan, who represents Poole. "The last thing any government needs is an army of parents who are against them because they think they're making their lives worse." This sentiment underscores the critical importance of parental engagement and trust in the reform process. Local authorities, legally obligated to meet the needs of eligible pupils, are increasingly struggling to manage the mounting costs associated with growing demand for SEND services. Currently, over 1.7 million children in England have special educational needs, a figure that has seen considerable growth in recent years.

Public expenditure on children with high needs has seen a dramatic increase, rising from £7.5 billion in 2016 to an estimated £12 billion by 2025, representing a real-terms increase of 66%. The government's long-awaited policy paper detailing proposed changes to SEND provision is expected to be published in February, following previous delays. In preparation, the Department for Education conducted a survey last year, and the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on SEND submitted its proposals, which have been reviewed by the BBC.

In its submission, the APPG highlighted the impact of inflation: "Inflation has eroded the real value of core funding in schools and special places; restoring it and protecting early help budgets will underpin timely support." The MPs further asserted that national SEND policy "should align expectations and funding with the level of need settings are now asked to meet." The group also advocated for increased investment in early years services and the development of a national SEND workforce plan. Proposals perceived as cuts are likely to alarm stakeholders deeply involved in the APPG, who are keen to influence Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson as her department finalizes its reform strategy.

In recent months, ministers have engaged in discussions with Labour MPs from the APPG to solicit their input and garner support for the proposed reforms, should they be brought to a parliamentary vote. Crucially, ministers have faced strong calls not to abolish Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). These legally binding documents provide tailored support for pupils identified as having high needs, and their removal or significant alteration could face considerable opposition.

Labour MP Jen Craft, a vice-chair of the APPG and a mother of a disabled daughter with an EHCP, recently met with Bridget Phillipson to discuss pressing SEND issues. Representing Thurrock, Craft suggested that enhancing early intervention strategies and fostering greater inclusivity within mainstream schools could potentially reduce the reliance on high-needs support, thereby generating cost savings. "The system is not necessarily focused on the needs of the children it is supposed to be there to help," Craft commented. "There's an enormous amount of money in the system but it's not being spent well." She has been actively organizing events to gather comprehensive feedback from pupils and parents, ensuring their voices are central to shaping future policies and reforms.

Ekhbary News Agency