Special Educational Needs: Finance
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding her Department plans to provide for targeted mainstream provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities in each of the next three financial years.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell
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.
Overall schools funding is increasing by £3.2 billion in the 2025/26 financial year and will total over £64.8 billion, compared to almost £61.6 billion in 2024/25. Most schools’ funding is not allocated or ring-fenced for specific purposes. Schools decide how to spend their budgets to meet their legal duties and other responsibilities, including support for their pupils with SEND.
Of the increase in total schools funding, £1 billion will be 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 over £12 billion.
Decisions on schools funding for the years beyond 2025/26 will be taken following the forthcoming spending review.
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