Increase school funding to meet need for special education, MPs urge

"School funding for special educational needs (SEND) should be increased and protected to meet the rise in demand for support, a group of MPs has said, as ministers consider major reforms. The cross-party group of mostly Labour MPs called on the government to "align funding to need" and give schools "inflation-proofed" budgets in its plan to overhaul SEND provision in England."

"The proposals are challenging for the government, which faces significant pressures from the rising costs of a SEND system, widely considered to be in crisis. The Department for Education (DfE) said it was investing more in schools as it seeks to improve outcomes for children with special educational needs. While the department said school funding is increasing by 1.7bn in 2026-27, budgets appear to be tight once rising SEND costs are taken into account."

"The government has decided to pay SEND costs currently covered by councils from 2028, a move that is forecast to create a 6bn pressure. In recent analysis, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said the government had three options for addressing this pressure: increase education funding, reforms to slow the growth of SEND spending, or cuts. There is a risk of a backlash against reforms among parents and Labour MPs who are worried SEND support could be limited in some way."

A cross-party group of MPs urges increased and protected funding for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to match rising demand, recommending inflation-proofed school budgets and funding aligned to need. The Department for Education plans increased investment, but projected SEND cost growth tightens school budgets despite a 1.7bn rise in 2026-27. Central government will assume SEND costs currently borne by councils from 2028, creating an estimated 6bn pressure. The Institute for Fiscal Studies identified three responses: raise education funding, implement reforms to curb SEND spending growth, or impose cuts. Concern exists about parental and political backlash to reform.

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