Hertfordshire Labour Group has welcomed the Labour Government’s announcement of a £5 billion national package to address the huge deficits built up by councils in supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The funding will write off 90% of SEND related deficits accumulated up to the end of 2025/26.
For Hertfordshire County Council, this will mean a reduction of more than £80 million in the SEND deficit. This will provide vital stability for both the Council’s finances and the services families rely on.
The Group says the announcement marks a decisive break from years of underfunding and mismanagement under the previous Conservative Government, which left SEND systems across the country in crisis and placed councils under unsustainable financial pressure.
Cllr Ian Albert, Labour Spokesperson for Resources, said:
“After years in which Conservative governments left SEND funding in chaos, this intervention is a lifeline for Hertfordshire. Clearing over £80 million of historic SEND debt will make a huge difference to the Council’s financial sustainability and our ability to plan responsibly for the future. Combined with the certainty of a three year financial settlement, this shows the Labour Government is serious about supporting local authorities to deliver the services our communities depend on.”
Cllr Beth Kelly, Labour Spokesperson for Education, SEND and Inclusion, said:
“Families across Hertfordshire know how badly the SEND system was failing under the Conservatives. Assessments were slow, support was inconsistent, and too many children were left without the help they needed. This funding gives us the chance to rebuild a system that genuinely supports young people’s education and life chances. It is a major step towards ensuring every child in Hertfordshire gets the support they deserve.”
Cllr Nigel Bell, Leader of the Hertfordshire Labour Group, said:
“This announcement shows the difference a Labour Government makes. At long last, councils are being given the tools to repair the damage of the past and invest in the future. Hertfordshire residents deserve a council that is properly funded and able to deliver for its communities, and this is exactly the kind of responsible and practical support that enables that to happen.”