Lib Dems pledge more money and lower SEND costs for schools

The Liberal Democrats have promised a significant increase in education funding should they form a government. In a motion at their annual conference, which took place in Bournemouth last week, the party set out their ‘core policy offer’ for schools. This included the pledge to increase per pupil funding for schools and colleges by more than the rate of inflation each year, as well as to invest in new school buildings and clear the ‘backlog’ of repairs. A Liberal Democrat government would also see an expansion in free school meals (FSM), which would be extended to all children in primary education and all secondary school children whose families receive Universal Credit. Automatic enrolment for FSM would also be introduced.

On SEND support, the party say schools will be required to meet less of the cost of supporting pupils from their own budget. They will ‘give local authorities extra funding to halve the amount that schools pay towards the costs of a child’s additional SEN support, from £6,000 to £3,000’. The Lib Dems say the current system acts as a disincentive for schools to identify pupils’ SEND needs at the earliest opportunity. The part estimates the policy would cost around £1.2 billion, based on there being 389,171 pupils with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) in January this year.

Other policies approved at the conference include putting a dedicated, qualified mental health professional in every school, and introducing  a ‘clear and properly funded’ programme of professional development for all teachers, including training on effective parental engagement.

Greensheets will have education news from other party conferences in the coming weeks.