Labour Delivers Record £14.97m Funding for SEND Provision in Staffordshire

Record Funding for Staffordshire

I am pleased to share that the Government has now confirmed that Staffordshire County Council is set to receive £14.97 million – the biggest ever single high needs capital allocation for our area.

This represents a £4.26 million boost from last year and is part of a landmark £3 billion national investment into inclusive classrooms. This funding is a direct response to the need for more specialist places closer to home, and I am determined to ensure it delivers for our community. The investment will be used to:

• Deliver Inclusion Bases: Ensuring every secondary school has the specialist physical space and staff to support children within a mainstream setting.

• Reduce Travel Times: Increasing local capacity so fewer children are forced to travel long distances away from their friends and community to get the education they deserve.

• Improve Accessibility: Making our school buildings fit for purpose for every child, regardless of their needs.

Alongside this, our local schools will benefit from the new Inclusive Mainstream Fund. Estimates suggest the average primary school in Newcastle will receive around £14,000, with the average secondary school receiving around £48,000 in 2026-27 to support day-to-day inclusion.

Holding the Local Authority to Account

While this record investment is a significant step forward, it must be spent effectively. To secure this funding, Staffordshire County Council is required to sign a written agreement to prioritise mainstream inclusion and specialist support.

I have written to the Reform UK Leader of the County Council to seek urgent clarification on their plans. Following deeply dismissive comments from senior Reform UK figures regarding children with SEND and their parents, I am seeking a clear guarantee that this Labour government investment will be protected and used solely to improve outcomes for our most vulnerable children, rather than being absorbed by further council cuts.

Read my letter to the Leader of Staffordshire County Council