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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Chaminda Jayanetti

Revealed: covert deal to cut help for pupils in England with special needs

Claire Coutinho outside Downing Street
Claire Coutinho, who was junior education minister, denied that there were targets in place at a select committee in May. Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Shutterstock

The government has quietly signed a contract targeting 20% cuts to the number of new education plans for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) to bring down costs, the Observer can reveal.

Then junior education minister Claire Coutinho – recently promoted to the cabinet as energy secretary – subsequently told MPs that no targets were in place.

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