Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Claire Coutinho and Kieran Mullan

Monday 27th February 2023 Commons Chamber

[Dr Kieran Mullan (Crewe and Nantwich) (Con)]

12. What steps she is taking to improve the provision of education for students with special educational needs and disabilities.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Claire Coutinho)]

This is an area that the Secretary of State, given her former role in the Department of Health and Social Care, and I, as a former Minister for disabled people, take seriously. Getting our educational offer right for children with special educational needs and disabilities is hugely important, and I will be responding to the SEND and alternative provision Green Paper within the next week.

--- Later in debate ---

[Claire Coutinho]

I will be responding to the SEND and AP Green Paper within the next week. We have increased funding massively in this area—it is up by 50% in the past three years. I struggle to think of another area of government that has risen that fast. This is about spending well and making sure that all the pupils who need help can get it as soon as possible.

[Dr Mullan]

We struggle with SEND provision in Cheshire, both in terms of special school places and support for children in school. Can the Minister outline the steps that the Government have taken to increase provision to build on the upcoming expansion of Springfield School in my constituency, and also join me in congratulating the school on its amazing achievement of being named school of the year last year in the national schools awards?

[Claire Coutinho]

I join my hon. Friend in congratulating Springfield School on its outstanding achievement—he has often bent my ear about the head, Lisa Hodgkison, and the tremendous work she is doing there. We are investing £2.6 billion to increase the number of specialist school places across the country.