Suffolk MP says Government SEND funding 'won't be a game changer'
Three Suffolk MPs joined have over 70 others in writing to the chancellor, calling for extra money to be announced for SEND services during the spring budget.
Extra Government money for SEND services won’t be a major game changer, a Suffolk MP has said.
Last Friday, three Suffolk MPs joined over 70 others in writing to the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, calling for extra money to be announced for SEND services during the spring budget.
The letter explained the system was in crisis, with councils across the country facing budget gaps related to high needs of around £2.3bn, estimated to balloon to £3.6bn in March 2025.
Among Wednesday’s budget announcements was an initial £105m investment to fund 15 new special free schools, the locations of which will be announced in May.
Ipswich MP, Tom Hunt, one of Suffolk’s signatories, said: “There was much to welcome in the budget — however whilst I welcome the announcement of extra funding for more special schools it still won’t be a major game changer for SEND.
“I appreciate times are tough and there are huge pressures on public finances but getting SEND right is of monumental importance not just for those directly impacted but society as a whole.”
In Suffolk, SEND services have been particularly strained, with three consecutive Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) reports pointing out significant failures.
To address this, the council has recently promised an extra £4.4m to hire 60 new staff within six months, with £3.4m rolling to the future — this is part of a £42.7m package to be spent on children’s services over the next two years.
But Mr Hunt warned the way funding is allocated needs a major overhaul, including getting rid of regional variations which see Suffolk getting a raw deal.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, he added: “I want every child to fulfil their potential and although that’s not just about education spending, skilled teachers, the right equipment and buildings make a huge difference.”