Graham Stuart pushes Government to increase SEND funding in the East Riding

Graham Stuart, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, has asked the new Government to increase the level of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding in the East Riding. 

Data from the f40 group, which Graham was previously the Vice Chair of, shows that the East Riding receives the lowest allocation of High Need Block funding per pupil for SEND provision of any local authority in England. 

That’s why Graham wrote to the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, in July to ask her to increase the level of per pupil funding for SEND provision in the East Riding to bring it in line with the rest of the UK. 

Catherine McKinnell, Minister of State for School Standards, responded to Graham explaining that the Government will consider whether to make changes to the high needs national funding formula that is used to allocate funding for children and young people who require SEND provision. As part of this, they will examine how any changes would affect people across the East Riding.  

Across the country demand for additional SEND provision is increasing, and Beverley and Holderness is no exception. This is why Graham has regular meetings with Councillor Victoria Aitken, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, and headteachers across the area to discuss how they can work together to ensure that every child has the personalised support they need to thrive.  

Graham will continue to work with our local leaders to make the case for higher levels of SEND funding in Beverley and Holderness and will press the new Government further to ensure they change the funding formula to deliver this.  

Graham Stuart commented: “Every child should have the best start in life to allow them the opportunity to succeed. 

“As demand for SEND support increases, I will continue to work with our councillors and headteachers to persuade the Government to give schools the additional money they need to provide this.”   

Photo - Graham Stuart and Cllr Victoria Aitken with the graph showing that the East Riding receives the lowest allocation of High Need Block funding per pupil for SEND provision of any local authority in England.