Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

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Monday 27 January 2025 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Edward Morello questioned the lack of progress on funding for Dorset Studio school facilities since May 2024.
  • Olly Glover raised concerns about the high needs deficit in Oxfordshire expected to reach 77.1 million by the end of 2025.
  • Debbie Abrahams inquired about reducing the number of families not receiving timely assessments and addressing the doubling of demand for assessments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Edward Morello Lib Dem West Dorset
Education
Context

Dorset Studio school in West Dorset has a high percentage of students with special educational needs, and there is an ongoing funding agreement to upgrade the school's facilities which has not seen progress since May 2024.

Question

Some 52% of students at Dorset Studio school have special educational needs, and 11% are in receipt of education, health and care plans. A funding agreement between the Treasury and the Department for Education to upgrade the school’s facilities has seen no progress since May 2024. Will the Minister outline what steps the Department will take to get this ball rolling? If she does not know, will she meet me so that we can get things started as soon as possible?

Answer from The Minister for School Standards (Catherine McKinnell)

Improving capital provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities is a priority. We have allocated £740 million of additional investment to create those additional places in mainstream and special schools. I am more than happy to look at the case raised by the hon. Gentleman, indeed it might be for the Under-Secretary of State for Education, my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth South (Stephen Morgan), to look at.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific plan or timeline for progressing with Dorset Studio school's funding agreement but offered to review the case and possibly involve the Under-Secretary of State.

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Q2 Olly Glover Lib Dem Didcot and Wantage
Education Children & Families
Context

Oxfordshire's high needs funding deficit is expected to rise significantly by the end of 2025, raising concerns about the sustainability of the system. The questioner advocates for a shift towards inclusive education and early intervention.

Question

In Oxfordshire, the high needs of our accumulated deficit is expected to rise to £77.1 million by the end of 2025, and across England it is expected to rise to nearly £6 billion in the same period. Does the Minister agree that a shift towards inclusive education, early intervention and enhanced support in mainstream schools is essential for creating a sustainable system, and will she commit to delivering this?

Answer from The Minister for School Standards (Catherine McKinnell)

We agree wholeheartedly that we need a more inclusive mainstream system with an education, health and care plan process. We have allocated capital funding for this purpose and are looking at reforms on multiple levels to ensure children can be educated in their local community.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific commitments or timelines but acknowledged the need for an inclusive system and ongoing reforms.

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Q3 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
Children & Families
Context

The Public Accounts Committee report highlighted issues in the SEN system, and there is a need to reduce the number of families not receiving timely assessments.

Question

A recent Public Accounts Committee report bears out that my hon. Friend has inherited an appalling situation from the last Government. Can she give more information on how she will reduce the number of families not getting timely assessments? How will she address the doubling of demand for assessments?

Answer from The Minister for School Standards (Catherine McKinnell)

We are working incredibly hard to reform our system with a curriculum and assessment review, by allocating capital investment, and by collaborating with local authorities. This will help reduce the challenges for families and improve outcomes for children.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific measures or timelines but acknowledged ongoing work to reform the system and address delays in assessments.

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