During Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday, 9 October, Skipton and Ripon MP, Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE, raised the issue of funding for children with special educational needs (SEN) in North Yorkshire.
Julian highlighted the challenges faced by local schools and families in securing the necessary resources and support for vulnerable children.
Julian asked: "Mr Speaker, special education needs budgets in North Yorkshire and across the UK are under huge pressure. Could I ask the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, as they prepare for the Budget, could they look carefully at how increased funding and changes to the funding formula could make a massive difference thousands of lives of children across the country?"
In response, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said: "I am grateful to the honourable member for raising this issue which is of real concern across the country to many parents who are concerned about the provision and I do agree that children with special educational needs and disabilities are being failed with parents struggling to get their children the support that they need and deserve and we have to change that. And I am determined to raise standards for every child so they succeed in education and we will work with the sector and, across the House where we can, to deliver on that mission which is very important for many parents who will be watching this today."
You can watch Julian’s full question and the Prime Minister’s response here from 12:20:40.
Julian has been a long-standing advocate for improving support for children with SEN and his question follows a recent meeting with North Yorkshire Council’s Corporate Director of Children and Young People's Service, Stuart Carlton to discuss the demand for SEN services across North Yorkshire.
