A Salford MP has welcomed a move by the government to create 50,000 more school spaces for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Walkden MP Yasmin Qureshi praised Labour plans to invest £3 billion over the next three years to create tens of thousands of new specialist places in mainstream schools.
This commitment will be partially funded by cancelling the building of some planned free schools. 28 of 44 planned state-funded independent schools to be scrapped.
The representative for Bolton South and Walkden said: “From speaking to parents at my SEND roundtable, I know how vital it is to create more school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
“Parents shared the challenges they face with mainstream schools that cannot meet their child’s needs, the battles with the Local Authority due to a lack of specialist provision, and the financial strain of travelling long distances or even educating at home.
“This investment is hugely welcome as it will help families access the high-quality education their children deserve, close to home.
“Today’s investment lays the foundation for transformative reforms set to be announced in the Schools White Paper early next year.
“Taken together, the Labour government will deliver a school system inclusive by design, so every child, wherever in the country they live, can have their needs met and leave school truly ready for life and work.”
