Labour has accused Plaid Cymru of making the wrong call over £327 million in funding that came to Wales via a UK Government decision, arguing it should be spent exclusively on additional learning needs (ALN). The Plaid-led Welsh Government lost a Senedd vote on the issue this week, with Labour saying the money should go to under-pressure schools.
Background of the Funding Dispute
The £327 million is a consequential from a UK Government investment in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in England. Plaid Cymru argues that because the debts leading to the payment did not exist in Wales in the same way, the money should not be ring-fenced for ALN and has been placed in the general budget. Labour and teaching unions, however, insist it must be used to support the over 40,000 children and young people in Wales with additional learning needs.
Lynne Neagle, Labour Senedd Member for Torfaen and former education minister, wrote a piece stating: "The Welsh Government must urgently put more funding into schools to support children and young people with additional learning needs." She emphasised that these are some of the most vulnerable learners and that investing in the right support is crucial for their wellbeing and potential.
Impact on Schools and Councils
Neagle highlighted that Plaid Cymru's first set of spending measures does not include an extra penny for ALN. She noted that the UK Government's decision made £327 million available to the Welsh Government, but it has not been allocated to schools. "The need is there – it’s crystal clear. Our schools are under extreme pressure and the demand for additional learning needs support in Wales is rising," she wrote.
The Welsh Local Government Association reported in spring that the growing complexity of need was creating unsustainable financial strain. They stated that education is "one of the most acute pressures highlighted by councils" as "ALN spending accounts for more than a quarter of all school budget pressures." Every Welsh council, of all political stripes, and teaching unions have called for the money to go to schools.
Political Reactions and Calls to Action
NAHT Cymru has launched a petition calling for the consequential funding to support ALN in Wales. Neagle criticised Plaid Cymru for not allocating a single penny of the £327 million to schools, saying: "Why should Welsh councils, schools and children miss out?" She acknowledged the government's call for a long-term solution but argued that waiting for recurring funding in 2028-29 is insufficient for children who need support now.
"It’s so deeply concerning to see Plaid Cymru try to fund their uncosted manifesto pledges at the expense of schools and children with additional learning needs," Neagle concluded, urging the government to step up.
