Dedicated Schools Grant: Special Educational Needs
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the answer of 20 April 2026 to Question 124727 on Dedicated Schools Grant, what the estimated value is of the residual deficit across local government when the DSG Statutory Override ends in March 2028.
Answered by Georgia Gould
This government is committed to supporting local authorities with their dedicated schools grant (DSG) deficits as we transition to a reformed special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system. Every local authority with a deficit will be able to receive a grant amounting to 90% of their eligible deficit at the end of 2025/26, provided they secure approval for their local SEND reform plan, which must set out a clear pathway towards an inclusive system that meets the needs of children and young people and supports the wider vision for SEND reform. Final grant allocations will be calculated based on a review of Section 251 data, draft and published DSG notes, DSG S151 assurance sign off, revenue outturn data and published accounts.
For deficits arising in 2026/27 and 2027/28, local authorities can expect that we will take an appropriate and proportionate approach, though it will not be unlimited. Future support will take into account local authorities' successful delivery of their approved local SEND reform plan, including appropriate use of investment funding to establish an Experts at Hand offer.
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