Business of the House

Clive Jones Excerpts

Thursday 30th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend raises an important issue that affects many of our constituents. Antisocial behaviour continues to be a blight on the communities we serve, but the Government are determined to bear down on it. Our Crime and Policing Bill will introduce respect orders and strengthen police powers to tackle antisocial behaviour. He may wish to raise these matters in person at the next Home Office questions.

[Clive Jones (Wokingham) (LD)]

In Wokingham, there is a real issue with mainstream schools declaring that they cannot meet the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities. Specialist providers are also unavailable, which leaves children effectively out of formal education for many months, if not years. Can we have a debate in Government time on radically and rapidly expanding the availability of specialist provision for children with SEND to ensure that every child has a place at school?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Gentleman raises further evidence that the SEND system is broken. It does not work for parents or children, and it does not really work for the staff of our schools either. We have committed to investing an additional £1 billion in SEND funding, but there is a wider issue, as the Government have recognised, and we will therefore be bringing forward proposals to radically alter the system. The hon. Gentleman asks for a debate; should he secure a Backbench Business or Adjournment debate, I think that would actually help the wider debate.