Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has directly addressed Members of Parliament, emphasising that the government's comprehensive overhaul of the special educational needs and disabilities (Send) system in England is categorically not a cost-cutting exercise. This declaration comes as ministers engage in an extensive lobbying campaign targeting Labour MPs to prevent a potential rebellion over the proposed changes, which would alter how children qualify for crucial support plans.
Ministers Launch Intensive Lobbying Blitz
Government officials have reportedly embarked on a sustained lobbying offensive, engaging with hundreds of Labour MPs over the past year. This effort aims to convince parliamentarians that the reforms are designed to enhance inclusivity within schools rather than reduce expenditure. According to Labour MPs who spoke to the Guardian, ministers have explicitly stated they have "learned the lesson" from previous botched welfare overhauls and are determined to avoid similar pitfalls.
However, despite this intensive engagement with the parliamentary Labour party, concerns persist within government circles that Labour MPs might still vote against the proposals in the next parliamentary session. Some insiders suggest that such a rebellion could significantly undermine Keir Starmer's leadership, highlighting the high-stakes nature of this political reform.
Proposed Changes to EHCP Qualifications
The planned reforms involve raising the threshold at which children in England become eligible for an education, health and care plan (EHCP). These legally binding documents entitle children with special educational needs and disabilities to receive tailored support. Under the new proposals, EHCPs would be reserved primarily for children with the most severe and complex needs, according to sources familiar with the government's intentions.
This anticipated shift has sparked considerable anxiety among parents, campaigners, and MPs alike. Many have warned that limiting these legal rights could have catastrophic consequences for vulnerable children and their families. MPs report that Send remains the issue they receive the most correspondence about from concerned constituents, underscoring its political sensitivity.
Campaigners Warn of Rights Erosion
Madeleine Cassidy, chief executive of the charity IPSEA, which provides legal advice and is part of the Save Our Children's Rights campaign, expressed grave concerns. She argued that weakening the Send legal framework would risk undoing decades of progress towards educational inclusion. "These rights are not optional – they are essential safeguards that enable families to secure the support their children need to access education and thrive," Cassidy stated emphatically.
Jen Craft, an MP and member of the all-party parliamentary group on Send, declared she would oppose any plans to restrict EHCP access unless a properly funded replacement system was firmly established. "That would be a real issue," Craft affirmed, highlighting the need for adequate resourcing.
Government's Financial Commitments and Challenges
Phillipson has repeatedly assured MPs that the system overhaul is not financially motivated, noting that funding for high-needs provision has increased by more than 50% to £11 billion annually. She told the parliamentary Labour party it was "morally wrong" to place children in independent special schools that often fail them at "enormous cost" to both the children and taxpayers.
A Department for Education spokesperson outlined existing investments, including £3 billion for specialist Send units in local state schools and £200 million for teacher training in Send. "Our priority is – and has always been – improving outcomes for children and young people with Send. We will restore parents' trust by fixing what isn't working in the system and strengthening support for those who need it – shaped directly by the views and experiences of those who know the system best," the spokesperson added.
Nevertheless, the government faces significant financial pressures. Spiralling Send costs have accumulated £6 billion in debt for local authorities. Chancellor Rachel Reeves indicated in last year's budget that the Treasury would assume full responsibility for these costs. Avnee Morjaria, co-author of an influential Institute for Public Policy Research report, noted, "A reform of this scale will eventually need a serious rebalancing of funding from individuals to the school system so that children can access the support they need sooner and more efficiently. That will have implications for the funding available for EHCPs in the future."
Rebuilding Trust Amid Systemic Challenges
Meg Hillier, the MP who chairs the Treasury select committee and led the Labour backbench rebellion against welfare reform, described the government's investments as a crucial "downpayment" for building trust. "Bridget knows it's important to get it as right as possible first time, you don't get to take a shot at this," Hillier remarked. "And she's working hard to bring the PLP and stakeholders with her."
Helen Hayes, chair of the education select committee, stressed that the government must retain existing legal rights while ensuring the new system is properly funded and fully accountable. She highlighted that the number of children on EHCPs has grown from 3% in 2018 to over 5%, with assessments increasing by 250% between 2013 and 2024. "Parents rely on the part of the system – the EHCP – that has statutory accountability, because there is almost no accountability in any other part of the system," Hayes explained.
MP Antonia Bance acknowledged the difficulty of rebuilding parental trust, stating it was an "uphill battle because few people believe that things can actually get better." However, she added, "But there is an absolute consensus that the current system is broken. We have to do something." This sentiment captures the complex balancing act facing policymakers as they navigate reforms aimed at improving support for some of England's most vulnerable learners while managing political and financial realities.
