Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nadia Whittome and Stephen Morgan

Monday 9th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Nadia Whittome (Nottingham East) (Lab)]

T3. I have been contacted by many parents who are desperate to secure a place in a special school for their child, but in Nottingham there is a severe lack of availability. While I wholeheartedly support efforts to improve SEND support in mainstream schools and to deliver an education system that is truly inclusive, it seems clear that we also desperately need an increase in the number of special school places. What steps are the Government taking in this area?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)]

I appreciate my hon. Friend’s concern. As she will know, this Government inherited a broken system from the previous Government. We want to make sure that all children with SEND receive the support they need to achieve and thrive. We have announced £740 million of high needs capital funding for next year for additional places, which will support our ambition to improve inclusivity in mainstream schools.