Vikki Slade
Main Page: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)Department Debates - View all Vikki Slade's debates with the HM Treasury
(3 days, 8 hours ago)
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Rachel Reeves
Well, we did announce two new railway stations in Wales today with that £445 million. In the 10-year infrastructure strategy, which we publish next week, we will be setting out more details of investment right across the UK. I am pleased that my hon. Friend welcomes the £118 million for the coal tips work, which I know is so important and which so many Welsh Labour MPs have lobbied me about over the last few months. I am pleased that we can deliver for their communities in Wales.
Vikki Slade (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD)
I declare an interest as a sitting councillor. Local government will be pleased to see an increase in spending and to have clarity but, alongside social care, we have no clarity on another area that will sink councils: the statutory override on special educational needs. That was promised time and again, and we were hanging our hats on having it today. Will the Chancellor tell us what is happening and can we give security to councils on special educational needs?
Rachel Reeves
The hon. Lady makes a really important point. Every single MP in this House will have heard harrowing stories of parents desperate to get support for their kids with special educational needs. The Secretary of State for Education will be bringing forward a White Paper to make the reforms that are desperately needed. We will make sure that we do that in partnership with the parents and children who are most affected.