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Written Question
Special Educational Needs: Costs
Friday 31st July 2026

Asked by: Lord Pickles (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the additional cost to local authorities in England arising from increased demand for provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

High needs funding for children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is continuing at an increased level of over £12 billion in the 2026/27 financial year, following an increase of 11% in 2025/26.

To reverse the trend of late intervention and escalation of needs, the department is providing £4 billion over the next three years, including:

  • The Inclusive Mainstream Fund, providing £1.6 billion for schools, colleges and early years settings to prepare and deliver improved inclusive practice.
  • £1.8 billion for local authorities to work in partnership with integrated care boards to develop and deliver a new ‘Experts at Hand’ offer, providing a new route to expert advice and support for mainstream settings from education and health professionals.

Furthermore, in 2026/27, local authorities with a SEND deficit will be eligible for a High Needs Stability Grant covering 90% of their dedicated schools grant deficit accrued up to 2025/26.