Oral Answers to Questions

Kevin Bonavia Excerpts

Monday 9th September 2024 Commons Chamber

[Dr Allison Gardner (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab)]

8. What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the provision of SEND services.

[Kevin Bonavia (Stevenage) (Lab)]

10. What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the provision of SEND services.

--- Later in debate ---

[Bridget Phillipson]

My hon. Friend is right to stress the need to listen to children, families and all those working in the system in order to deliver reform. If she can share some more detail with me, I will happily take a look.

[Kevin Bonavia]

I am grateful to the Secretary of State for her answer and to the Minister for School Standards for her response to last week’s Westminster Hall debate, led by my hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin (Alistair Strathern), on SEND provision in Hertfordshire. As the Minister will recall, there are many heartbreaking experiences faced by children and young people in Stevenage and across Hertfordshire, where waiting times are much higher than the national average. Will the Secretary of State therefore consider a fairer funding settlement for SEND provision in Hertfordshire when she is next able to do so?

[Bridget Phillipson]

My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the significant interest in the Westminster Hall debate, and the level of interest today demonstrates the importance of getting this issue right. I know from speaking to him that he is concerned about the issue. I agree that it is important that there is a fair education funding system that directs funding where it is most needed. One aspect of that is the national funding formula and allocating high-needs funding. We will take our time to look carefully at whether any changes are required, including in Hertfordshire.