Government announces SEND reforms
The Government has set out its plans to reform the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, pledging a “radical expansion in rights” for children with SEND.
The Editorial Team
Tourism levy ‘important step in fiscal devolution’
Devolving the visitor levy to local areas will enable significant investment in the visitor economy, boosting local attractions and tourism businesses, says the LGA.
Social housing finances ‘improving’
The financial outlook for councils’ social housing budgets has improved compared with last year, but significant pressures remain that could limit housebuilding, an LGA survey has found.
Home-to-school transport costs set to soar
New analysis from the County Councils Network estimates that councils in England could be transporting more than 100,000 more young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to school by the end of the decade.
‘Unanswered questions’ on SEND deficits – MPs
MPs have warned that the Government’s SEND reforms have left “unanswered questions” on home-to-school transport and council deficits.
Ombudsman highlights planning enforcement delays
Complaints about planning enforcement are increasing and some councils are taking years to resolve cases, according to a new report from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Funding increase for public health
Local authority allocations for the 2026/27 public health grant have been confirmed by the Government at £4.4 billion, a real-terms funding increase.
Adult social care ‘faces a reckoning’
The Government is to establish a national safeguarding board and accelerate dementia trials in response to some “simple asks” from Baroness Louise Casey, Chair of the Independent Commission into Adult Social Care.
Government to write off £5bn of SEND deficits
The Government has committed to resolving 90 per cent of councils’ historic deficits in respect of provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities.