Send provision leaving deprived areas of England ‘trailing behind’, report finds

The report found that Send spending in the wealthiest councils increased by 65%, compared with a 51% increase in the most deprived areas. Photograph: Posed by models; 10’000 Hours/Getty Images

Two former Labour education secretaries have urged the government to restore “sanity and certainty” to England’s special educational needs system, as analysis shows spending has risen fastest in the most affluent councils, leaving deprived areas “trailing behind”.

According to research by the Policy Exchange thinktank, total local authority spending on special educational needs and disabilities (Send) increased by more than £5bn in real terms between 2018–19 and 2024–25 – a 58.5% increase in six years.