Campaigners say funding for children with special needs in Manchester facing massive shortfall
It's claimed children with learning difficulties are being let down because of huge funding cuts at special needs schools across Greater Manchester.
A report's warning councils in and around Lancashire are facing an overall shortfall of more than £92 million.
Special needs provision in England has lost out on £1.2bn because of shortfalls in funding increases from central government since 2015.
Commenting on the research, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“The funding shortfall for SEND provision comes against the backdrop of the swingeing cuts to local authority budgets imposed by the Westminster Government over the last 9 years which have left many councils on the brink.
"Between 2010 and 2020, councils will have lost almost 60p out of every £1 the Government had provided for services. This is an appalling way to be addressing the education of some of our most vulnerable children and young people and is causing untold misery and worry for thousands of families.”
The Government says they've actually increased funding for local councils.
Minister for Children and Families, Nadhim Zahawi, said:
“We have increased spending on high needs from £5billion in 2013 to £6.3billion this year and it is not right to imply funding has been cut.
“We recognise the challenges facing local authorities and in December provided an extra £250million up to 2020 to help them manage high needs cost pressures. We have also provided councils with an extra £100million funding to create more SEND places in mainstream schools, colleges and special schools.
“Our ambition for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is exactly the same for every other child - to achieve well in education, go on to college or university, and to live happy and fulfilled lives."