08/07/25Children with special needs will 'always' have 'legal right' to support, education secretary says

Bridget Phillipson seeks to dampen a looming row over whether the government could scrap tailored plans for children with special needs - as some Labour MPs fear a repeat of the welfare row.

07/07/25Government urged to keep education plans for children with special needs

Ministers are facing calls to not cut education plans for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (Send). Campaigners say education, health and care plans (EHCPs) are "precious legal protections", warning that thousands of children could lose access to education if the plans are abolished.

26/06/25Councils face millions in extra Send costs as overhaul delayed

Cash-strapped councils in England will be hit with hundreds of millions of pounds in extra costs after the government delayed tackling the £5bn deficits spent supporting children and young people with special needs and disabilities.

25/06/25Rachel Reeves visits Kent to discuss free school meals and building more schools in county

Chancellor Rachel Reeves discussed the policies on a visit to a Kent school

17/06/25Record 1 in 5 pupils in England getting special education needs support

Nearly one in five pupils in England are receiving support for special educational needs (SEN) in the classroom, according to government statistics. It comes as separate statistics show a sharp rise in the number of tribunals concerning special educational needs support, as parents challenge the support on offer for their child. Teaching unions say systemic change in special educational needs provision is "urgently needed" for schools and students.