SEND deficits: LGA on PAC report

Responding to the Public Accounts Committee report on SEND high needs deficits, Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association, which represents councils, said:

“All councils remain under severe financial pressure.

“We expect government to provide urgent clarity on how it plans to address high needs deficits, which are projected to rise to £5 billion next year, as part of its forthcoming SEND reforms. Over half of councils have warned us they will become insolvent next year when the statutory override flexibility ends and we continue to urge government to write off these deficits.

“This needs to be part of a comprehensive SEND reform plan, which focusses on boosting inclusion in mainstream schools, early years settings and colleges, ensuring they have the capacity and expertise to meet the needs of children with SEND.”

Notes to editors

An LGA survey found that, if the SEND high needs deficit override ends as planned with no alternative method for addressing deficits, 53 per cent of councils responsible for SEND provision will not be able to set a balanced budget in 2026/27, rising to 63 per cent in 2027/28 and 65 per cent in 2028/29.