Ministers face calls to explain how £6bn Send funding hole will be paid for

Bridget Phillipson has reassured MPs that Send costs will not fall on core schools funding but on government budget

Ministers are set to reduce the rising cost of funding special educational needs provision through their overhaul of the system, as they faced calls to explain how a £6bn funding hole will be paid for.

The government is under pressure to clarify how it will pay for special educational needs and disabilities (Send) spending, which is rapidly increasing, after Rachel Reeves said in the budget that she will take over full responsibility for the costs from local councils from 2028.