Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 74
74
Acknowledged
Ensure National Funding Formula provides fair, sufficient SEND funding reflecting regional need.
Recommendation
The National Funding Formula must ensure that funding for SEND is both fair and sufficient to meet the needs of children and young people across the country. While some geographical variation is to be expected, this should reflect the prevalence and relative level of need in each area. The formula must guarantee that all local areas are equipped with the necessary resources to deliver consistent, high-quality SEND provision and support equitable outcomes for all learners. (Conclusion, Paragraph 259)
Government Response Summary
The government outlined an increase of £4.2 billion in schools and high needs funding, committed to supporting local authorities with SEND deficits until 2027–28, and allocated £740 million for high needs capital, stating these measures will help improve SEND outcomes.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The overall schools and high needs funding included in the Department’s spending review settlement – an increase of £4.2 billion by 2028–29 compared to 2025–26 – continues the support available for children and young people with SEND. It will help in transforming mainstream education so that more of them are included, and in improving their outcomes whether in mainstream or specialist provision. We recognise that local authorities will need support during the transition to a reformed SEND system. We will work with local authorities to manage their SEND system, including deficits, alongside an extension to the Statutory Override until the end of 2027–28. The government will set out further details on our plans to support local authorities with historic and accruing deficits through the upcoming Local Government Finance Settlement. We also recognise the important role of capital funding in improving access to provision and in improving the inclusivity of mainstream schools. The £740 million high needs capital for 2025–26 is a core part of our investment into the SEND system. This is an unringfenced formulaic allocation that enables LAs to build provision in line with local priorities. We will set out more detail for our approach across the spending review period in due course.