Central Bedfordshire Council backs calls for fairer school funding and urgent reforms for special education
Central Bedfordshire Council has backed national calls for increased and fairer funding for schools, as well as urgent reforms to address the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Local authorities across the country are forecast to face a combined SEND deficit of £6 billion by April 2026, with Central Bedfordshire’s own deficit projected at more than £40 million.
Central Bedfordshire Council is one of the lowest funded areas in the country for both mainstream education and SEND.
In 2026-2027 the authority will receive £8,883 per mainstream pupil, compared to more than £14,000 in the highest funded area.
Meanwhile Central Bedfordshire is set to receive £1,115 per pupil in High Needs funding, compared to some authorities that get more than £3,800.
Central Bedfordshire council leaders have already spoken to more than 50 MPs, calling on them to support a campaign by the F40, a group which represents the 43 lowest funded education authorities in the country.
Executive member for children and families Cllr Gareth Mackey said: “Our schools and families deserve a fair chance, and that means a national SEND system that is properly funded and designed around the needs of children today - not historic allocations that no longer reflect reality.
“Without reform, the gap between need and funding will continue to grow. No child should be worth less because of where they live.”
The Government announced that it would spend £5 billion to pay off 90 per cent of the debts English councils have built up through supporting children and young people with SEND.
Full plans are due to be announced in the Schools White Paper in the coming weeks.