English Councils Warn of 10 Billion Pound Send Debt

English local councils are warning of a potential financial catastrophe as debts for special educational needs and disability (Send) support are forecast to reach 10 billion pounds by 2028. The County Councils Network reports that a 12.5 percent surge in applications for education, health and care plans (EHCPs) has outpaced government funding, with total applications reaching 718,000 in the last year.

This spike is partly attributed to parents rushing to secure support before planned government reforms take effect. While the Government of the United Kingdom has agreed to pay 90 percent of debts accumulated up to March 2026, councils fear bankruptcy when a Treasury override arrangement expires in April 2028. Several authorities, including Hampshire, Surrey, and Kent, are predicting significant deficits.

The government acknowledges the system is under immense strain and has pledged to provide further details on deficit support before March 2028. However, local authorities argue that the deficits result from meeting statutory demands without adequate funding, warning that the consequences will eventually fall on taxpayers and communities.