Graham Stuart, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, met with the Minister for School Standards, Catherine McKinnell MP, to make the case for a fairer allocation of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding for the East Riding.
Data from the f40 group, of which Graham previously served as Vice Chair, reveals that the East Riding receives the lowest per-pupil allocation of High Needs Block funding of any local authority in the country.
Despite this funding shortfall, East Riding of Yorkshire Council—working closely with local schools—continues to deliver above-average outcomes for children with SEND. However, with an increase in the number of children requiring SEND support over the past five years, additional funding is urgently needed to ensure every child receives the high-quality education and tailored support they need to thrive.
That's why Graham, alongside David Davis, Member of Parliament for Goole and Pocklington, and Cllr Victoria Aitken, Cabinet Member for Children, Families, and Education, met with the Minister for SEND, Catherine McKinnell MP, to press the case for a fairer distribution of SEND funding.
During the meeting, they set out the stark unfairness in the way SEND funding is allocated to the East Riding. If the council were funded at the level of the second lowest funded local authority in England, it would receive an additional £4 million per year. If funded in line with the national average, the increase would be £18 million annually. This additional funding would be transformational, giving local schools the resources they need to support children with SEND and help them reach their full potential.
The Minister acknowledged the significant challenges faced by schools in the East Riding face and commended Cllr Victoria Aitken and her colleagues for their outstanding work in supporting pupils with SEND despite these financial constraints. She explained that the Government is listening to their concerns and is actively working to reform SEND funding formula to ensure a fairer allocation for areas like the East Riding.
Graham, David, and Cllr Aitken will continue to push the Government for increased funding to ensure that every child in our community has the support and opportunities they need to succeed.
Councillor Victoria Aitken, ERYC Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, commented: "Our region is the worst funded in the country, receiving £9 million less than the England average for mainstream education and £18 Million less than the average English Local Authority for SEND funding. We highlighted the unfair funding formula disadvantages rural areas and requested to be brought up to the English average. We also called for stronger collaboration with health partners and a less adversarial EHCP process. The Minister acknowledged the need for reform, praised our successes despite financial challenges, and expressed a desire for increased mainstream provision needing SEN support.”
Graham Stuart said: "Every child deserves the best start in life, and it is essential that schools and colleges in the East Riding have the resources they need to make this a reality. That’s why David, Cllr Aitken, and I urged the Minister to reform the funding formula. A fairer system would unlock millions of pounds for our area, transforming the lives of children who need additional support the most. There is still much more to do, and I will continue working with colleagues to press the Government for urgent action."
