Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Deferred
Move away from competitive bidding requires clarity on alternative funding programmes.
Conclusion
We welcome the Government’s desire to move away from the competitive bidding process as outlined in the Plan for Neighbourhoods, but further clarity is needed around what alternative funding programmes will replace competitive bidding. (Conclusion, Paragraph 65) 75
Government Response Summary
The government responded by outlining funding and reforms within the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system aimed at reducing home-to-school travel costs, but did not clarify general alternative funding programmes to replace competitive bidding.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
54. The Government’s home-to-school travel policy aims to make sure that no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport. We know the cost of arranging home-to-school travel for eligible children has risen sharply in recent years, especially for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). There are several reasons for this, including fuel price inflation and shortages of drivers and passenger assistants – but most of the increase can be attributed to challenges in the wider SEND system. 55. Making sure more children can receive the support they need locally, by improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, will mean fewer children will need to rely on long and complex journeys to access educational opportunity, leaving local authorities better able to meet the needs of those that continue to need transport. Improving the SEND system is a priority for this Government. The Spending Review announcement in June confirmed significant new funding to support SEND reform and a White Paper with further detail will be published in the coming months. 56. The Department for Education have also published allocations for £740 million in high needs capital in 2025–26 to support children and young people with SEND or who require alternative provision (AP). This new funding can be used to adapt classrooms to be more accessible for children with SEND and create specialist facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more intensive support adapted to suit the pupils’ needs, alongside continuing to provide places to support pupils in special schools with the most complex needs. This will ensure children can receive the support they need locally, meaning fewer children will need to rely on long and complex journeys.