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Chancellor Faces Pressure Over £6 Billion SEND Funding Crisis

2/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, faces pressure as the £6 billion annual Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) bill remains unaccounted for in the budget.
The Office for Budget Responsibility warns the SEND backlog could reach £18 billion by 2028-29.
Critics say the government may ration SEND services or cut mainstream school funding to curb costs.
The chancellor will appear before the committee in March to outline future SEND funding plans.

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Story summary

Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, faces pressure as the £6 billion annual Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) bill remains unaccounted for in the budget.
The Office for Budget Responsibility warns the SEND backlog could reach £18 billion by 2028-29.
Critics say the government may ration SEND services or cut mainstream school funding to curb costs.
The chancellor will appear before the committee in March to outline future SEND funding plans.