Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 76
76
Deferred
Permanent solution for local authority SEND funding requires coordinated cross-departmental action.
Conclusion
The extension of the statutory override until 2027/28 is a welcome step, but it remains a temporary measure in response to the ongoing financial instability facing local authorities across England. Reducing deficits is essential to achieving long-term financial sustainability however, this 171 cannot be done at the expense of local authorities fulfilling their legal obligations to children and young people with SEND. Any permanent solution must involve coordinated, cross-departmental action between the Department for Education, HM Treasury, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to address the systemic funding challenges within local government. (Conclusion, Paragraph 267)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need to support local authorities in managing SEND system deficits and reiterates the extension of the Statutory Override until 2027–28, stating that further details on plans for historic deficits will be set out in the upcoming Local Government Finance Settlement.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
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.