Context
The London borough of Harrow supports the establishment of a new SEND school that was approved by the previous government. Currently, children travel long distances to access specialist education.
Question
I thank the Minister for that answer. The last Government approved the new SEND school in Harrow, which is supported on a cross-party basis and by all headteachers in Harrow. At the moment, young children have to travel an hour and a half each way to get to specialist schools, which is costing the taxpayer huge amounts of money, and that is unacceptable for those children with special educational needs. All we need is the Department to give its approval, and that school could go ahead and start almost immediately. If this funding is available, will she make it available to the London borough of Harrow to start the school that everyone wants?
Answer from The Minister for School Standards (Georgia Gould)
The last Government approved a huge number of things that were not funded, which is why this Government was left with a black hole that we are sorting out. I have travelled around the country talking to parents, and we have heard time and again about how they were failed by the last Government. We are investing in the SEND system. In answer to the hon. Member’s specific question about the school, we will be coming forward with more plans shortly.
Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a concrete commitment or timeline for approving the funding for the SEND school in Harrow.
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