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“These findings drive home the need to urgently reform the SEND system. Despite spending on SEND massively increasing over the last decade, the educational attainment of children with SEND has failed to improve, while councils continue to build up huge deficits related to SEND spending.

Councils are pleased to see the significant investment behind the measures in this Plan, which will help cut bills and make homes warmer, safer and healthier.

One in 10 councils with social care responsibilities and two thirds of district councils face real-term funding cuts this year (2026/27), the Local Government Association (LGA) is warning today. The LGA, which represents councils across England, said it is right that steps have been taken to reform the local government finance system, multi-year settlements, including for the Public Health Grant, and grant consolidation and simplification. Councils are at the heart of every national priority. Extra funding for children’s services and to reflect the growth in EHCPs and specialist provision and

“As part of reforming the SEND system, it is vital that our education system becomes more inclusive, so that more children with SEND can attend their local mainstream school.

"Local government needs to be part of decision-making to avoid a scenario where the introduction of an FPA jeopardises the supply of care and sustainability of council finances.” 

“With more children needing help with increasingly complex and challenging needs, what is most important is ensuring they get the best care and support. No council wants to place a child in an unregistered setting, and it is extremely concerning that in many cases, a lack of choice means provision is not fully meeting children’s needs.

“Transport infrastructure is absolutely vital for unlocking growth, and strong, well-planned networks are the backbone of inclusive, sustainable, and thriving local economies... [these] announcements are therefore very positive for local authorities in the North."

“Councils take their responsibilities to maintain and upkeep roads seriously, but the truth is that ever-increasing pressure on budgets has impacted their ability to do so as much as they’d like."

"Only longer-term funding certainty will help councils more effectively plan for future maintenance schemes, focusing more on preventative measures and able to invest in innovation."

"Councils are committed to supporting disabled adults and older people to live independently, safely, and with dignity in their homes."