Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, has issued a stark warning that local authorities across Britain will soon be unable to afford fundamental services like bin collections and road repairs due to the spiralling costs of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.
A System in Crisis
Speaking at a press conference in Westminster, Tice described the situation as 'completely out of control'. He highlighted that the total cost of the SEND system has now reached a staggering £10 billion a year, with the number of pupils receiving Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) increasing by 10 per cent annually in some regions.
Tice expressed strong views on what he perceives as a widespread 'overdiagnosis' of conditions such as ADHD and dyslexia. He controversially branded the sight of pupils using ear defenders in classrooms as 'insane' and called for an end to such practices, stating that teachers and headteachers also want it to stop.
Proposed Reforms and Cost-Saving Measures
Leading Reform's cost-cutting DOGE unit, Tice proposed several radical changes to curb expenditure. A key recommendation is to scrap the legal requirement for annual EHCP reports, which he said cost £4,000 per assessment. He argued this single change would save millions of pounds for every local authority in the country.
He also raised concerns about the allocation of professional resources, claiming that psychologists are spending excessive time on assessments instead of providing therapy, leading to worse outcomes for the children who need help the most.
Unsustainable Spending and 'Insane' Practices
Tice pinpointed the costly arrangement of councils paying for taxis to transport SEND children to school as a major financial drain. He revealed knowledge of a taxi firm with just 10 drivers that holds a £4.2 million council contract for this purpose. He further alleged that some parents use disability benefits to acquire a car via the Motability scheme, only for the vehicle to 'sit on the drive' while they 'demand a taxi' for school runs.
Additionally, Tice claimed that some 'middle-class parents' are 'playing the game' by employing solicitors to secure EHCPs to avoid paying the VAT on private school fees proposed by Labour.
Looking ahead, Tice delivered a grave prognosis for council finances. He warned that about one in five councils are already in extreme financial support, and that within four to six years, almost half of all councils could be effectively bankrupt. 'All of the money will be going on SEND,' he stated, 'and we all know that is totally unsustainable.'
In contrast, he noted that the dozen councils run by Reform since May have identified over £300 million in savings by cutting waste and renegotiating contracts. While it has been reported that Reform town halls may increase council tax by the maximum 5 per cent next year, Tice asserted that 'no decisions have been made' yet.
