The New Statesman | UK politics and culture SEND: Labour's next backbench battle
Jul 7, 2025
Will Dunn, a writer for the New Statesman and creator of the Morning Call newsletter, joins the discussion on the urgent challenges within the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system. He highlights the implications of recent welfare reform and the looming financial strains on local councils. The conversation also delves into the rising costs of outsourced childcare services and the Labour Party's internal struggles over education policy. Dunn emphasizes the need for substantial reforms to ensure better support for disabled children amidst political austerity.
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SEND Costs Are Surging
- SEND provision costs have surged 71% from 2018 to 2024, now around $11 billion annually.
- The system's expenses may be unsustainable, prompting a government white paper this autumn.
EHCP System Lacks Nuance
- The EHCP system is expensive but fails many families due to complexity and lack of nuanced support.
- It treats children with vastly different needs uniformly, causing inefficiencies and stress for all.
Privatization in SEND Provision
- Pontville School in Lancashire costs £116,000 per autistic child annually, funded by the government.
- It is owned by Abu Dhabi's second largest sovereign wealth fund, highlighting private equity involvement.