Rising Send costs will bankrupt' eight in 10 English local authorities, leaders say
Rising special educational needs spending will bankrupt eight in ten English councils unless the government enacts major reforms and writes off SEND deficits.
The Guardian view on the Send crisis: Bridget Phillipson must be tough with the Treasury so children aren't penalised | Editorial
Special educational needs and disabilities provision in England faces crisis from chronic underfunding, adversarial processes, inadequate specialist capacity, and rising financial chaos.
Ministers insist plans to absorb council Send debts won't hit school budgets
Government will transfer all SEND support costs to central budgets by 2028, absorbing an estimated £6bn and removing liabilities from local authorities.