Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the provision of SEND services.

The Conservatives have left a trail of devastation across education and that is made clear by current SEND provision. That is what this Labour government inherited.

We recognise that the current special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system is not working and that, for far too long, too many children and families have been failed by it.

This government is determined to address the problems and restore parents’ trust that their children will get the support they need. The department has been restructured so that SEND is now treated as part of mainstream schooling, but the government knows that this is only a small step on the road to fixing the system.

The department will listen to and work with families to fix the foundations and deliver long-term renewal.

The department will work with families and sector partners to improve the system, improving inclusivity in mainstream schools, and ensuring special schools work for children and young people with the most complex needs.