Prime Minister Andy Burnham and several senior cabinet ministers could face electoral threats in their constituencies over the state of children's special needs provision, as parents express frustration with the system.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood have been identified as being at particular electoral risk because of the high number of children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) in their parliamentary seats.
Surge in EHCP Applications
There are reports of a surge in parents trying to obtain EHCPs to secure their children's entitlement to assistance before Labour introduces major changes to the system. The Government is planning an overhaul of support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) amid concern that many young people are being educated far from home with families facing battles to get basic help.
Then-Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson sought to boost SEND provision in the mainstream system but lost her position in Mr Burnham's reshuffle, and campaigners now warn of uncertainty about the reforms.
Campaigners Demand Government to Stop and Listen
Helen Saul and Neil Giles of the Send Matters coalition said: "The Government promised to put children and families first, but as parents of children with complex special educational needs we feel ignored and let down. This is particularly disappointing when the data shows some of their constituents will be some of the worst affected. We have spent years fighting to get our children the education and support they need. Now we face increasingly uncertain and chaotic reforms that could make things even worse for children like ours. With changes expected to take 10 years, thousands of vulnerable children risk falling through the cracks."
The Government is facing calls to slam the brakes on its reforms to special needs education. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has described SEND as a "broken system" and says the changes will not be rushed through. Under Labour's plans, only children with the most complex needs will qualify for EHCPs by 2035.
Ms Saul and Mr Giles said: "The Government needs to understand that every child is different. What works for one child simply won't work for another. Our message is simple: stop, listen and think again. Go back do the homework and understand our children, protect specialist support and put children's needs first. Our children have been let down for too long. They deserve better."
Shadow Minister Accuses Labour of Leaving Families in Limbo
Shadow Education Minister Saqib Bhatti accused Labour of leaving "children, parents and teachers in limbo" as they wait for clarity and certainty.
He said: "Instead of providing answers, Labour has allowed further uncertainty to take hold, leaving families questioning what the proposed reforms will mean for their children's futures. It is clear that SEND reform has fallen down the priority list for this Labour Government. The Budget failed to address the £2billion black hole in SEND funding, while teachers didn't receive a single mention in the Chancellor's speech. Children with special educational needs cannot be expected to wait any longer for the support they deserve. The Government must listen to parents and teachers, set out a clear plan, and deliver meaningful action – rather than allowing further delays and uncertainty."
Government Defends Reform Timeline
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "We have been working closely with parents and professionals to get these reforms right, and the Education Secretary has been clear that we're completely committed to the timelines we set out in the Schools White Paper. We inherited a system under immense strain, but our reforms will change that. We will end the postcode lottery felt by so many - widening access to specialists for every school, rolling out training for every teacher, and investing £3.7billion to create 60,000 specialist places across the country. Legal duties on schools to identify and support children's needs are getting stronger, not weaker, and we are retaining EHCPs for children who need them."
