Devon finance chief warns Budget ‘provided nothing’ as SEND crisis grows across county

Devon County Council’s finance chief has criticised the Government for failing to set out how it will deal with the growing national crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Councillor James Buczkowski warned that ministers are “kicking SEND reform down the road” after today’s Budget offered no new detail on long-term funding.

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Devon has one of the largest high needs deficits in the country, and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has already warned that these deficits are rising at an unsustainable rate, with national Dedicated Schools Grant shortfalls expected to reach £14 billion by 2028.

The OBR has also confirmed that SEND pressures are now the biggest financial risk facing local councils.

‘This is not reform, it is pushing the problem further down the road’

Cllr Buczkowski said the delay to the Government’s promised education reform White Paper leaves councils in a difficult position.

He said:

“There is still no detail on how services that support children and young people with SEND will be funded in future. The government promised an education reform White Paper in the summer. We have now been told it will be delayed again until the new year. This is not reform, it is simply pushing the problem further down the road.”

He added that the lack of clarity comes at a time of increasing need and rising costs:

“SEND demand continues to rise, inflation pressures remain, and the OBR shows borrowing spiking across the sector. Yet ministers have provided nothing today beyond vague promises of further detail in December’s provisional settlement.”

Devon’s high needs deficit is now nearing £160 million, and Cllr Buczkowski said this amounted to a “national policy failure”, adding: “We still have no plan from the Government to address it.”

‘Devil is in the detail’

He said the council will study the Budget closely as more information is released:

“As ever, the devil is in the detail. Devon will continue to scrutinise the Budget closely and press for the clarity and long-term certainty our communities deserve.”