Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

SEND: Improvement

Monday 22 June 2026 · 9 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department committed to transforming the SEND system by working with young people, parents, and professionals.
  • Minister offered to meet representatives from local authorities to discuss funding and investment in early intervention for SEND.
  • Minister confirmed readiness to meet Members to address critical issues and apply pressure to avoid further delays in special school openings.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tom Gordon Lib Dem Harrogate and Knaresborough
Children & Families
Context

The question stems from long-standing issues with the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to improve the SEND system?

Answer from Georgia Gould

Children with special educational needs and disabilities have been let down for too long. We are determined to transform their experiences and outcomes by working with young people, parents and professionals to create a system where needs are identified and met early and schools have the training, resources and physical environments to be inclusive for all children.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or timelines were not provided.

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Q2 Max Wilkinson Lib Dem Cheltenham
Children & Families
Context

The question focuses on the regional disparities in funding for special educational needs and disabilities, particularly within the f40 group of local authorities.

Question

May I draw Ministers' attention to the f40 group of local authorities, and in particular Gloucestershire? Local schools have reported a significant problem with the provision of SEND. Will Ministers meet me to discuss these issues?

Answer from Georgia Gould

I would be delighted to meet the hon. Member to discuss funding. As he knows, it is an area that we are heavily investing in, with £4 billion going into early intervention to support children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on meeting and addressing Gloucestershire's concerns were not provided.

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Q3 Sarah Green Lib Dem Chesham and Amersham
Children & Families Local Government
Context

Buckinghamshire council submitted its SEND improvement plan but faces significant deficits. The decision on deficit relief will be delayed until after the school year starts.

Question

With a cumulative deficit of over £45 million already on the books, Buckinghamshire council is being asked to plan without knowing whether it will receive deficit relief. Will the Minister meet me and discuss support for councils like Buckinghamshire if such applications are rejected?

Answer from Georgia Gould

Many hon. Members across the House have talked to me about the issues with local authorities' delivery on SEND. The Department is determined to hold local authorities to account and ensure that they are all doing everything they can to support children and young people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment was made regarding specific meetings or additional support if deficits are not covered.

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Q4 Tom Gordon Lib Dem Harrogate and Knaresborough
Education
Context

There has been a delay in opening the special school at Bilton Woodfield, causing concern about further delays.

Question

The special school at Bilton Woodfield was set to open in September 2024, but it is now delayed until September 2026. Will the Minister meet me and apply pressure to ensure that no further delays are made?

Answer from Georgia Gould

I would be happy to meet the hon. Member, and I did not get a chance to say that I am also happy to meet the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Sarah Green). These are critical issues, and we want to see provision come forward.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitment on preventing further delays was made.

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Q5 Daniel Francis Lab Bexleyheath and Crayford
NHS Children & Families
Context

The Experts at Hand offer is aimed at improving support for disabled children.

Question

Can the Minister provide an update on the Experts at Hand offer, and how £2.1 million can be used to support disabled children in Bexleyheath?

Answer from Georgia Gould

We have set out guidance on investment for local authorities and I know that local authorities around the country are busy building that offer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific details were provided about how the funding will be utilised in Bexleyheath.

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Q6 Alison Hume Lab Scarborough and Whitby
Education
Context

A new targeted mainstream provision centre is being established in Scarborough.

Question

St Martin's primary school in Scarborough is establishing a brand new targeted mainstream provision centre. Does my hon. Friend agree that this will provide more TMP places for children with unmet needs?

Answer from Georgia Gould

Absolutely. We are investing £3.7 billion into creating 60,000 new specialist places, and I have heard from families how life-changing it is to have that provision in their community.

Answered
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Q7 Saqib Bhatti Con Meriden and Solihull East
Education Children & Families
Context

The TES reported that the Government had frozen high needs funding, affecting special schools. Headteachers warn this will impact children's support due to rising demand.

Question

Just a few months ago, the TES reported that the Government had frozen the high needs funding block, which special schools rely on. Headteachers are warning that the Government's decision means that children will not get the support they need due to a lack of funding. How can she justify freezing the high needs funding block when the demand for special schools is rising and the Government's reforms are years away?

Answer from Georgia Gould

When we came into government, we made a significant increase to the high needs block because investment in special educational needs and disabilities was desperately needed. The current system has been failing for a long time, but we are reforming it with investments of £4 billion into early intervention, £3.7 billion into capital places, and £200 million into teacher training and supporting local authorities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly address the justification for freezing high needs funding or provide a timeline for reforms.

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Q8 Christopher Vince Lab Co-op Harlow
Education Children & Families
Context

The questioner supports the SEND reforms as vital for young people in Harlow.

Question

As a former teacher, I know that these SEND reforms are not just necessary but vital for young people in my constituency of Harlow and beyond. Does the Minister agree that reforms in Harlow will be strengthened by multi-academy trust-level inspections and Ofsted's welcome of the new focus on inclusion?

Answer from Georgia Gould

I very much agree that Ofsted inspections of multi-academy trusts are a really important lever in ensuring that inclusion is part of the decision making of all trusts and all schools.

Answered
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Q9 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Democracy & Elections Children & Families
Context

Reports suggest that the Department for Education-funded charity Contact has issued guidance blocking parents from groups if they criticise Government policy.

Question

First, we heard that Ministers were trying to rig the SEND consultation with pre-written responses. Now it has emerged that the Department for Education-funded charity Contact, which supports local parent carer forums, has issued guidance stating that parents may be blocked from these groups if they dare to publicly criticise Government policy. Why are Ministers so determined once again to stifle any criticism of their reforms by silencing the very families whose opinions matter the most? Will the Minister ensure that this outrageous guidance is reversed?

Answer from Georgia Gould

That is just not true. In considering this issue, I have spent time with MPs from across the House and families that they represent. We are continuing to do that as part of our consultation.

Not addressed: The answer did not address why guidance exists or confirm reversal.

How: That Is Just Not True

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