Blackpool MP hails £1.8m boost for town’s SEND provision

Friday, 10 April 2026 15:45

By Richard Hunt

Blackpool South MP Chris Webb has hailed a major £1.8m Government boost for the town’s SEND schooling provision.

Mr Webb says the funding will help deliver more places for children with SEND (special educational needs) in the town.

According to figures from a Blackpool Council report in 2024, 3,167 (16.4%) school aged children were receiving SEND support in primary and secondary schools in the town. The figures were confirmed as part of the Blackpool SEND Strategy 2022–2027 being delivered through Blackpool Council and partners.

The Labour government recently announced it had committed an additional £4bn to he UK’s SEND provision from now until 2029 to help schools across the UK to prepare before the changes get underway.

It says this will include £1.6bn which will go directly to early years, schools and colleges over the next three years.

This week Mr Webb said the allocation for Blackpool was a major increase on the provision made in previous years.

He said: “Labour has just released the biggest single funding allocation to deliver more places for children with SEND on record, with Blackpool receiving £1.8 million – an additional £315k increase from last year.

“Labour is reforming the school system so young people with SEND get the right support earlier, when they need it, and closer to home.

“In my constituency casework, I’ve seen firsthand the anxiety families face when they are told their child may have to travel long distances to attend a suitable school.

“Additionally, the mainstream system will look and feel radically different – providing the right support locally, early, effectively and fairly, with every child’s needs met without a fight.”

Despite the welcome news, teaching unions have voiced concerns that schools do not have enough staff to deliver the extra provision.

Daniel Kebede, National Education Union (NEU) general secretary, said that despite the increase in funding pledged by the Government, it still isn’t enough to cover the extra costs needed by schools for extra staff.

But Mr Webb said it outlined how serious the Government was in improving SEND provision.

He added: “Brick by brick, Labour is building a system where every child can achieve and thrive. The best support for every child, when they need it.”