Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Debbie Abrahams and Claire Coutinho

Monday 12th June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Claire Coutinho]

I know that the hon. Gentleman is a passionate campaigner on such issues. He will know that education is devolved, but Ministers engage with our counterparts through the UK Education Ministers Council, and a session was held just last week, on 8 June.

[Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) (Lab)]

5. What steps she is taking to help improve support for children with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.

--- Later in debate ---

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

I want every child and young person, regardless of their special educational need or disability, to receive the right support to enjoy their childhood and succeed in life. The SEND and AP improvement plan, published in March 2023, sets out the next steps that we are taking to deliver a more positive experience for children, young people and families.

[Debbie Abrahams]

The Children’s Commissioner has expressed concerns about the gaps in the Government’s plan to improve the system for children with special educational needs and disabilities, identifying:

“A vicious cycle of late intervention, low confidence and inefficient resource allocation”

that needs addressing. In particular, she points to the issues for looked-after children with SEND. Given that the plan is to be implemented by 2025, what are the Government doing now to achieve those things?

[Claire Coutinho]

We have not waited to take action on this issue. We have increased, for example, high needs block funding by 50% over the last four years to 2023-24. We have set out £2.6 billion to increase the number of specialist schools. We have also hired educational psychologists. We have done a lot of work to date, but the reforms are ambitious and wide-ranging and they will, I hope, help with the issues mentioned.