Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Johnston and Kate Kniveton

Monday 23rd October 2023 Commons Chamber

[Kate Kniveton (Burton) (Con)]

T4.   Like all county councils, Staffordshire County Council is struggling with the rising demand for special educational needs and disabilities support in schools, and with lengthy delays in issuing education, health and care plans. That is leaving children and families with a lack of vital support and appropriate education for their needs. What steps are the Government taking to tackle the shortage of educational psychologists and to ensure that children receive the education that they need to achieve good outcomes?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (David Johnston)]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the importance of educational psychologists. We are investing £21 million to train 400 more educational psychologists, building on the £10 million already announced to train more than 200 from this term.