Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

SEND Funding Shortfall

Monday 19 January 2026 · 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

  • Gregory Stafford asked the Minister about plans to address the SEND funding shortfall identified by the OBR in November 2025.
  • Saqib Bhatti noted that the OBR analysis highlighted a 6 billion funding gap for SEND services.
  • The Minister stated that any remaining deficits will be addressed through cross-Government measures and denied attempts to spread fear among parents.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
Children & Families
Context

The Office for Budget Responsibility identified a significant funding gap in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In Surrey, the high needs block deficit is projected to rise to £165 million by 2027.

Question

What plans her Department has to tackle the special educational needs and disabilities funding shortfall identified in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s “Economic and fiscal outlook” of November 2025? In Surrey, the high needs block deficit is forecast to rise to £165 million by 2027. Although Conservative-run Surrey county council has earmarked £144 million in reserves to ease that pressure, that cannot be a long-term solution. Can the Minister confirm whether and when Surrey’s safety valve agreement will be extended?

Answer from The Minister for School Standards (Georgia Gould)

We recognise that the size of deficits that councils are accruing while the statutory override is in place might not be manageable with local resources alone. We will be setting out more information in the local government settlement this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm whether and when Surrey’s safety valve agreement will be extended

How: Setting Out More Information In The Local Government Settlement

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Q2 Saqib Bhatti Con Meriden and Solihull East
Education
Context

The Office for Budget Responsibility identified a £6 billion funding gap in the Department for Education's budget. This highlights uncertainty about how to address the shortfall.

Question

I note that the Minister, in response to my hon. Friend the Member for Farnham and Bordon (Gregory Stafford), said that the Budget gave much clarity, but the reality is that the Office for Budget Responsibility analysis highlighted a £6 billion funding gap. I almost feel sorry for the Education team, because the Chancellor has backed them into an uncomfortable corner with her own Back Benchers with nowhere to turn, but they do need to be honest with parents and teachers who rely on these provisions. So again we ask: how do they intend to fill the £6 billion black hole hanging over the Department? Will there be cuts to services or to schools?

Answer from The Minister for School Standards (Georgia Gould)

The Chancellor and the Secretary of State have been crystal clear that any remaining deficits will come from across Government. Opposition Members know that but are seeking to spread fear among parents. As we have heard across the House, there is already enough fear about the system. We are acting. We are putting £3 billion into desperately needed specialist places. We are putting £200 million into teacher training, which is something that has been asked for across the House. We have changed Ofsted. We are putting money into early intervention for children. We will back children and families across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify how to address the £6 billion funding gap or if there will be cuts to services or schools

How: Spreading Fear Among Parents, Acting On Early Intervention

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