Bridget Phillipson faces GB News interrogation on Labour’s £4 billion SEND children funding boost
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has articulated the rationale behind Labour’s pledged £4 billion boost for state school inclusivity, addressing concerns over sustained high levels of pupils requiring specialised support.
In a discussion with GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope, Phillipson confronted forecasts indicating the number of children with Educational, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) will be identical in the 2033-34 academic year as it is presently, with individual support plans also projected for one in five pupils.
Hope questioned whether these figures signalled deteriorating conditions or diagnostic failures. According to the GB News interview, Phillipson attributed the expected continued rise in children needing EHCPs to extensive, historical “unmet need.”
The minister asserted that withdrawn early support in past years has significantly impacted children’s school readiness. “It’s part of the reason that so many children arrive not ready to learn,” she stated, framing the substantial investment as essential for early years provision and high-quality council-led services to assist parents.
