Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

SEN Provision: Funding

Monday 9 December 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The statutory override allowing local authorities to exclude dedicated school grant deficits from their main revenue budgets expires in March 2026.
  • High needs funding has been increased recently to benefit both mainstream and special schools.
  • The Government is reviewing the free schools programme and expects to confirm allocations for special educational needs funding by spring.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Green Lib Dem Chesham and Amersham
Children & Families Local Government
Context

A recent National Audit Office report indicates the SEN system is financially unsustainable without reform. Buckinghamshire council, among others, has used a statutory override to exclude dedicated school grant deficits from their main revenue budgets since 2020, but this will end in March 2026 with no clear solution.

Question

The recent National Audit Office report makes it clear that without reform the SEN system is financially unsustainable. Local authorities such as Buckinghamshire council have been able to exclude dedicated school grant deficits from their main revenue budgets since 2020, but this statutory override will end in March 2026 with no identified solution. Can the Minister share more on what urgent conversations she is having with colleagues to ensure local authorities get certainty?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

The statutory override goes up to March 2026, when it expires. We are currently considering how best to continue support for local authorities with deficits. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regulations were amended.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No clear timeline or specific plan was provided regarding what will happen after the statutory override ends in March 2026.

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Q2 Sarah Green Lib Dem Chesham and Amersham
Education Children & Families
Context

The head of Perranporth primary school in the constituency has not been consulted regarding a value-for-money review for Perranporth academy, which plans to provide significant SEN provision.

Question

Perranporth academy plans to provide significant special educational needs provision but is one of 44 schools under a value-for-money review. The head of the primary school has not been consulted on this. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss the situation?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

I appreciate my hon. Friend's concerns, we recognise the pressures local authorities are under, high needs funding has been increased recently which will benefit mainstream and special schools, and I am willing to arrange a meeting to discuss this further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific meeting details or timeline for discussion of the value-for-money review situation at Perranporth academy.

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Q3 Perran Moon Lab Camborne and Redruth
Education
Context

Despite last week's announcement of additional funding to support inclusive mainstream schools, two-thirds of special schools are already at or over capacity. The government announced plans for 67 new special free schools.

Question

The recent announcement of capital funding for more inclusive mainstream schools is welcome but many children with additional needs require specialist settings not just mainstream inclusion. With two in three special schools full, can the Minister provide a timeline for when the planned 67 special free schools will be delivered? Will she commit to looking favourably on local authority applications for such schools?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

The funding is expected to create thousands of new places, particularly in mainstream settings but also in special schools. We expect to confirm allocations by spring and we are keeping the free schools programme under review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline for delivering the 67 planned special free schools or commit to looking favourably on local authority applications.

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Q4 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Education Children & Families
Context

Without adequate funding, the special educational needs provision system is facing financial insustainability according to recent reports. The government acknowledged a cross-Government approach is needed.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that special educational needs provision is adequately funded?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

The Government recognise a cross-Government approach is needed, the Minister met with the Minister for Care to discuss challenges. The Department for Education is committed to ensuring adequate support for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or concrete actions being taken by Cabinet colleagues on funding issues.

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