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Ministers Push SEND Overhaul Amid Rising Costs and Concerns

2/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Ministers are lobbying Labour MPs for an overhaul of SEND in England to raise EHCPs qualification standards.
Campaigners warn limiting legal rights could harm children and reverse progress toward inclusion.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says that the changes are not cost-cutting, citing a 50% funding increase for high-needs provision.
Local authorities face £6bn of debt from rising SEND costs.

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Story summary

Ministers are lobbying Labour MPs for an overhaul of SEND in England to raise EHCPs qualification standards.
Campaigners warn limiting legal rights could harm children and reverse progress toward inclusion.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says that the changes are not cost-cutting, citing a 50% funding increase for high-needs provision.
Local authorities face £6bn of debt from rising SEND costs.