House of Commons · Westminster Hall
15 July 2025 · 25 other contributors · 14,400 words
Opened by Mike Martin Lib Dem Tunbridge Wells
Responding minister: Catherine McKinnell
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Mike Martin raised concerns about send provision: south-east england in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The Government must listen to the voices of children and families to understand the system's shortcomings. Proper provision for children with SEND is crucial not only economically but morally right.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
In Kent, more than 21,000 children have an education, health and care plan—that is 14% above the national average. As a result of rising demand and mismanagement by the previous administration, there was a SEND overspend in a recent year of nearly £100 million. Only 13% of EHCPs were completed within the statutory 20-week deadline, leading to Kent being put into special measures.
Describes the broken system in Mid Sussex leading to exhaustion of parents, bankrupting councils, and demoralising teachers. Questions the Government on long-term funding solutions for SEND provision. Comments on the debate and reforms.
Responded to concerns raised about accountability, highlighting ongoing reviews and challenges in SEND provision. Mentioned an increase of over 630,000 children with EHCPs.
Discussed high rates of SEND support in his constituency, called for mandatory SEND training for teachers, parental voice enhancement, and cultural change in how Government approaches SEND. Comments on the debate and reforms.
Highlighted the significant number of SEND cases in Surrey and criticized Surrey county council for issuing incorrect EHCPs and hiding tribunal appeal data. Raised concerns about the economic cost to parents and teachers, noting a hidden SEND deficit of almost £5 billion across England.
The crisis in SEND provision is linked to the broader issues of health and social care. In West Sussex, there has been little collaboration between the local education authority and the integrated care system.
Wishes the Minister well in her reforms.
Comments on the debate and reforms.
Discussed the difficulties in getting a diagnosis for conditions like ADHD and autism, highlighting delays of more than two years which affect children's educational development. Mentioned that undiagnosed conditions can lead to mental health issues such as stress and anxiety.
Dr Lauren Sullivan raised concerns that we have sleepwalked into a crisis in terms of listening to the needs of young people and parents, asking for assurance on a lawful system with support given at the right time.
Emphasised the opacity of governance structures and supported fair funding guarantees and ringfenced central support for children with special educational needs.
Discusses 98 cases of SEND in his constituency, with families spending over £10,000 on tribunals. Calls for ringfenced funding to expand specialist places, guidance to reduce the cost of solo SEND transport. Disagreed with pitting state sector against independent sector, emphasized the need for national changes to make system fair and equitable. Comments on the debate and reforms.
Families in East Sussex are facing desperate situations, with children forced to travel long distances for school due to a lack of local provision. There is an urgent need for investment in specialist and mainstream education and teacher training. Comments on the debate and reforms.
Agrees that the problems in Kent indicate a broken system, requiring substantial increase in pace and resources to ensure proper provision following assessment.
Supported the concerns raised about the transformation programme and funding cuts affecting SEND provision in Northern Ireland, highlighting the difficulties faced by teachers. Comments on the debate and reforms.
Highlighted the crisis extending beyond SEND into mainstream schooling, pointed out poor performance of West Sussex council on EHCP deadlines, shared a case study of Graci and urged for meaningful intervention. Wishes the Minister well in her reforms.
Highlights the urgent need for reform in the SEND system due to families, teachers, heads, councils being let down. Emphasises funding for adaptations and training for mainstream schools. Comments on the debate and reforms.
In Rochester and Strood, SEND is the second main reason why constituents contact me. Parents face years-long waits for a diagnosis and excessive delays in EHCP finalisation, often beyond legal deadlines. Comments on the debate and reforms.
Asked if fixing a financial problem by giving away rights is the right approach, highlighting that EHCPs are crucial protection for many children. Questions whether money should be put into state schools rather than independent schools which are often run by private equity firms making profit from local authorities. Noted that in Surrey alone, 1,800 children with special educational needs are missing education due to a lack of provision, leading to poor mental health outcomes. Asked about measuring accountability in schools where fees of over £130,000 per year have been charged.
Comments on the debate and reforms.
Described the crisis in SEND provision in Kent county, citing poor communication and delays in getting EHCPs. She also highlighted ongoing chaos in the council administration.
Comments on the debate and reforms.
The hon. Member for Reigate spoke about the current challenges in the SEND system but was surprised by what appeared to be amnesia regarding the inherited record from previous administrations.
Concerns raised about Reform administration’s plans cutting transport for vulnerable children, highlighting unacceptable practice of bringing in external agencies without proper communication with residents.
A recent Ofsted report identified widespread failings in SEND provision in Torbay. One example is a decision delayed until the day before GCSEs, causing significant distress to the student. Asked for reassurance on how the Minister is holding health services accountable. Wishes the Minister well in her reforms.
Highlights the communications exercise around SEND transport budget cuts causing fear among residents across Margate, Maidstone and Tonbridge, urging the need for a proper plan from the council. Comments on the debate and reforms.
Government Response
Catherine McKinnellThe Minister for School Standards
Catherine McKinnell congratulates Mike Martin on securing this debate about an important subject and acknowledges that improving the SEND system is a priority. She highlights the challenges inherited from previous governments and the immediate action taken upon her government's entry to improve education outcomes for children with special needs. The Minister assures parents, carers, and young people of improvements in support and protection of existing effective provisions while engaging actively with stakeholders ahead of publishing the schools White Paper in autumn. Emphasised the importance of partnership and accountability between local authorities and health services. Described measures such as Ofsted inspections, SEND advisers in various areas, and additional funding allocations to increase capacity in the system.