Chris Packham Urges Andy Burnham to Halt Send Reforms

Broadcaster Chris Packham and a group of parents and experts are urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to abandon core elements of the government's overhaul of special educational needs (Send) provision in England. The proposed reforms, originally introduced by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer and former education secretary Bridget Phillipson, seek to address a projected £6bn financial deficit facing English councils by curbing the costs of legally mandated education, health and care plans (EHCPs).

The government plan replaces enforceable EHCPs with individual support plans administered by schools, a move that removes the right to independent legal appeals. Packham and his fellow campaigners argue these changes strip children of essential legal protections and are calling for the retention of the current EHCP threshold and independent tribunal appeals.

While the government is currently consulting on these measures, sources indicate that Prime Minister Burnham and Education Secretary Lucy Powell are likely to implement only minor modifications. The government appears unlikely to grant the wholesale reversals requested by the campaign group.