Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

SEND Provision

Wednesday 5 February 2025 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Lewis Cocking raised concerns about Hertfordshire's low special educational needs and disability funding.
  • The Minister acknowledged the need for reform in the SEND system but noted the current funding mechanism was inherited from the previous government.
  • Natasha Irons welcomed the Government's commitment to reducing violence against women and girls, highlighting the importance of the youth engagement team in Croydon.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lewis Cocking Con Broxbourne
Children & Families
Context

Hertfordshire is experiencing significant growth in the number of children with education, health and care plans. The county receives third lowest SEND funding nationally despite these challenges.

Question

I draw Members’ attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. Hertfordshire currently receives the third lowest special educational needs and disability (SEND) funding in the country, despite the number of children in the county with education, health and care plans growing by 223% in the last decade. What steps is the Minister taking with her Cabinet colleagues to create a fairer funding system that ensures that all children, wherever they live across the country, can have the funding they need to support their education?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)

I recognise the hon. Gentleman’s interest in this area, and the interest of Members from right across the House in the urgent need to reform the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system. However, I gently observe that we inherited the funding mechanism from the previous Government, and that the last Conservative Education Secretary said that the SEND system they have left behind is “lose, lose, lose”. We are determined to fix it, to build up parents’ confidence, and to make sure that all children get the education and support that they need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not provide concrete steps or funding details for a fairer system as requested by the MP.

How: Inherited From Previous Government, Determined To Fix

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Q2 Natasha Irons Lab Croydon East
Safeguarding & DBS Women & Equalities Children & Families
Context

The youth engagement team in Croydon, focusing on preventing young women's involvement in gangs through grooming and abuse, faces budget constraints.

Question

I welcome this Government’s commitment to halving violence against women and girls, and their investment in the domestic abuse protection order scheme in Croydon. However, Croydon’s youth engagement team, who focus on helping to prevent young women from being brought into gangs through grooming, abuse and vulnerability, are facing cuts due to the budget constraints facing the council. What more can the Government do to support local communities and local councils to prevent young women from being dragged into gangs through grooming and things like that?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)

My hon. Friend mentions a vital area. There is an important role for youth services as part of this, but we also need to do much more around safeguarding. The provisions in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill on multi-agency child protection measures and much more besides, and the additional investment that we are putting into the system around children’s social care, will make a real difference in tackling the unacceptable exploitation that sadly blights the lives of too many children across our country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not specify additional funding or actions for youth engagement teams beyond what was already announced.

How: Additional Investment, Multi-Agency Child Protection Measures

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