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After 14 years of neglect by the Conservative government, the education sector has struggled to keep up with the challenges that schools are facing today. Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) remain especially vulnerable to the possibility of reductions of dedicated resources and are in need of well-structured programs. For the Labour government, a key area of improvement must be to ensure that pupils with SEND receive adequate support. This will remain at the forefront of the Labour government’s SEND education plans, as echoed during the UK Parliament’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities debate, “every child deserves the opportunity to achieve and to thrive but, currently, far from every child has that chance.”
Funding for the education sector fell drastically below 2010 levels under the Conservative government’s time in power, directly impacting program provisions for pupils with SEND, UNISON research shows. Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s education secretary, has ensured that high-needs funding will increase by almost £1 billion in 2025-2026, bringing the total funding in this area to £11.9 billion. Labour’s funding commitments acknowledge the immense need for resources to support children with SEND effectively and provide a framework to address the rising demand for Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) to enable more pupils to receive the support they require.
However, fixing the education sector extends beyond funding alone. School minister Catherine McKinnell highlights that there will be more efficient and effective communication between pupils, schools, and families to turn the current situation around, demonstrating Labour’s strategy toward a more reactive and responsive delivery of SEND support. In collaboration with the National Young People’s group – a diverse group of children with SEND who come together to share views and experiences with the current education system – Labour’s direct engagement should provide a direct route towards greater improvements in services and outcomes for pupils with SEND.
Phillipson is also keen to improve the current SEND framework in light of inadequate SEND inclusion within mainstream schools. The absence of necessary facilities and specialised staff to support pupils with SEND results in limited accessibility and, in some cases, results in pupils with SEND being transferred to specialist schools. To address this, Labour has outlined their aim to increase resource bases in mainstream schools, thereby promoting inclusivity in the classroom and advances equal access to education for pupils with SEND.
Looking to the future, Labour is committed to ensuring that all teachers and support staff receive SEND-specific training early in their careers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to fully support pupils with SEND. By preparing educators to proactively address diverse needs, Labour aims to embed a culture of inclusivity throughout the education system.
With Labour’s agenda driven by the acknowledgement that the past 14 years under Conservative leadership has led to a broken system, the party is motivated to rebuild our education system to ensure that SEND pupils can transition into adulthood equipped with the skills, confidence, and support they need to lead fulfilling lives. By engaging directly with those most affected – children, young people, parents, and carers – Labour reiterates its commitment to ensuring that the reform will reflect the lived realities of pupils with SEND and their families.
As Labour implement these changes, the question remains: can this reform move quickly enough to undo years of systemic neglect? While the transformation will undoubtedly take time, the Labour government’s vision is clear; it is characterised by a commitment to redesigning a system that no longer fails children with SEND and aims to provide them with ample opportunities to achieve and succeed in education and adulthood.
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