Ministers face ANOTHER rebellion over fears disabled kids could lose legal right to extra support
MINISTERS are facing a brewing rebellion over fears children with special needs may no longer receive the legal right to extra support.
Campaigners are warning the government not to make changes to education, health and care plans that six hundred thousand children and young people rely on.
Labour MP Helen Hayes, who chairs the education select committee, said commitments must be made amid fears support could be scaled back.
She said new proposals have to “build the trust and confidence of parents and which doesn’t make parents feel even more fearful” about their children’s future.
But the row is on the verge of having the hallmarks of the welfare rebellion as rebels hit back at potential cost-cutting measures.
The government is expected to publish a plan in the autumn on how it will reform SEND provision.
Education minister Stephen Morgan insisted parents should have “absolutely” no fear that support for children with special needs or disabilities hauled back.
However, he could not guarantee that the current system would remain in place.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told MPs that children with special needs will “always” have a legal right to extra support.
The total number of requests for SEND support has risen to 638,745 support plans in January which was up ten per cent on the same point last year.
