Farnham and Bordon's new MP Gregory Stafford has written to the Secretary of State for Education regarding the portfolio allocation in her department for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Following the Government's decision not to create a dedicated Minister of State for SEND, Gregory said in his letter:
After the portfolio allocation to the Department for Education (DfE), I was disappointed to see that SEND was not allocated a ministerial position. I assumed that after the concern displayed by the government during opposition, SEND education - affecting 18% of pupils in England - would be granted a formal status within DfE. A Minister of State for SEND Education would ensure that the suitable time and effort is placed to breaking down critical education barriers for disadvantaged pupils.
Gregory later outline three key concerns:
- The commitment that the government will continue the former government’s £850 million investment package to deliver 60,000 more school places for children with special education in the Autumn Budget.
- How the Education Secretary will use the recommendations of the SEND Review to regenerate the current system
- I would be grateful if the Education Secretary would meet with me to discuss plans for parents whose children are currently in the independent system and will struggle to find placements in mainstream schools as a result of the 20% VAT imposition from January 2025.
You can read Gregory's letter in full via the link below.
