Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Vince Excerpts
Monday 22nd June 2026

(1 month, 1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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Georgia Gould Portrait Georgia Gould
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When we came into Government, we made a significant increase to the high needs block, precisely because we knew that investment in special educational needs and disabilities was desperately needed. Hon. Members across the House will know that the current system has been failing for a long time. We are acting to reform the system, but we are also investing £4 billion into early intervention, £3.7 billion into capital places and £200 million into teacher training and supporting local authorities with their deficits. This is something we are taking absolutely seriously. It is at the heart of our agenda, and we are acting where the previous Government failed.

Chris Vince Portrait Chris Vince (Harlow) (Lab/Co-op)
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As a former teacher, I know that these SEND reforms are not just necessary but vital for young people in my constituency of Harlow and beyond. Does the Minister agree that reforms in Harlow will be strengthened by multi-academy trust-level inspections and Ofsted’s welcome of the new focus on inclusion?

Georgia Gould Portrait Georgia Gould
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I very much agree that Ofsted inspections of multi-academy trusts are a really important lever in ensuring that inclusion is part of the decision making of all trusts and all schools.