Al Jazeera English UK government pledges to overhaul struggling special educational needs system

One in five children in the UK now receives support for special educational needs, but the system is under severe strain from rising demand and structural failures. Local authorities reject applications they cannot afford, leaving parents to navigate lengthy legal battles while specialist school places remain insufficient. The government has pledged £5bn in funding and plans to overhaul the framework by 2029, aiming to reserve Education, Health and Care Plans for only the most complex cases and deliver most support within mainstream schools. Critics warn the reforms may reduce provision and make the fight harder for families.

Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands reports from London.

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