Context
The MP noted that due to inadequate funding, many councils are facing financial distress related to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). He highlighted a specific case in the East Riding where this year’s education budget is estimated to be £17 million in deficit.
Question
What discussions has she had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Education on the potential implications for her policies of councils becoming insolvent due to inadequate funding for SEND education? Next March, when local authorities can no longer exclude high needs elements from their balance sheets, half of them will go bankrupt as it now stands. Can the Minister give me an undertaking that we will not next year find ourselves either crushing the needs of special needs children or those of other needs in society?
Answer from The Minister for Local Government and English Devolution (Jim McMahon)
First, we need to repair the system of SEND provision and deal with its impact on local authorities. The system is not sustainable in its current form, and we must reform it from the ground upwards. Secondly, deficits have been accruing and are still accruing, and that is a big issue. We certainly do not intend councils to be the victims of a system over which they have had no control, and we will work with them in our endeavour to prevent that.
Not addressed: The Minister acknowledged the issue but did not provide specific commitments or timelines for preventing council bankruptcy due to SEND funding deficits.
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