Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce inequalities in SEND funding between local authorities.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

Following the 2024 Autumn Budget, the department is providing an increase of £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding for children and young people with complex SEND to £11.9 billion.

The department is keeping the high needs funding arrangements under review as we progress wider SEND reforms.