SCHOOL FUNDING: SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

That this House notes that the national average spent on Special Educational Needs provision in schools has been cut by 17 per cent; further notes that cuts have been even highest of all in the North West at 24 per cent; recognises the burden placed on schools by the duty to pay for the first 11 hours of funding themselves; condemns the fact that this forces head teachers to cut funding for the most vulnerable students under their care; recognises the distress of 16 headteachers in Cumbria who wrote publicly expressing their deep concerns about the impact cuts to school funding are having on those who need additional support; calls on the Government to restore Special Educational Needs funding in schools; and demands that this need is met centrally rather than burdening schools.