UK government has announced a £1 billion uplift in funding for SEN provision in schools following a report that the system is crumbling in the face of a 140% increase in children with Education, Health and Care Plans over the past decade. Over the same period there was been a 60% increase in SEN funding.

Providing for a child with EHCP in a mainstream school costs nearly £20,000 a year, compared with £7,500 for other pupils. In a state-run special school the cost is £23,900, but increased demand means that 10% of children with EHCPs now go to private schools, costing £61,500 per year.

Local authorities are struggling to keep pace with this increased pressure – leading to a knock-on effect on other council services, not solely in the education sector.

Other main budget developments were

Confirmation that the exemption from VAT on private school fees will be scrapped from January and business rates on those fees will also be introduced from April.

A £2.3 billion increase in core schools budgets from next year and £300 million for further education.

Threefold increase in investments in breakfast clubs.

A 6.7 billion capital investment budget for schools.