East Riding of Yorkshire Council's position as the lowest funded local authority in the country for special educational needs will be heard on the national stage as a debate around the lack of funding and provision for children and young people with SEND is due to be held in Parliament.
The debate, SEND education, provision and funding, will take place in the House of Commons today and will be led by Haltemprice and Howden MP Sir David Davis, who will highlight the financial difficulties experienced by40 of the worst-funded local authorities in the country for SEND.
Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and schools at East Riding of Yorkshire Council and supported Sir David in securing the debate, will be in the chamber when the discussions are taking place.
She said: "The debate will give a platform to raise issues around the lack of funding for our children and young people, not just in the East Riding but across the country.
"Pressure on SEND budgets is something experienced by all local authorities, who are wrestling with huge growth in demand with limited resources to meet the needs of children and young people in their areas and that is no different in the East Riding.
"East Riding of Yorkshire Council is the lowest funded authority for SEND in the country, but we always strive to do our best for our children and young people, in what can be challenging circumstances.
"Through the f40 group, which is a group of local authorities that historically attracts the lowest levels of funding per pupil, this debate will help us fight for our children and young people to secure more funding for SEND provision."
Sir David Davis, MP for Haltemprice and Howden, said: "Families across the East Riding are suffering due to a lack of special-needs funding.
"In fact, our area receives some of the worst special-needs funding in England. It is time to correct this injustice while also making the case for better support across the country.
"I will use the debate I have secured in Parliament to force this issue up the political agenda, pushing for proper special-needs provision to ensure everyone gets the support they need."
