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Local authority SEND transport costs could top £1bn by 2028, council leaders warn

2 mins read Education Health
The cost of school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across county councils could reach more than £1 billion for the first time over the next five years, local authority leaders warn.
Councils have reported an increase in the use of private taxis. Picture: GAYSORN/Adobe Stock
Councils have reported an increase in the use of private taxis. Picture: GAYSORN/Adobe Stock

An increase in the number of children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) – from 105,000 eight years ago to 230,000 this year – is behind the “spiraling” costs, the County Councils Network (CCN) has said in new research.

It finds that local authorities believe the cost of such transport is “threatening their financial sustainability”.

In 2022/23 £725m was spent on home to school transport for children with SEND compared with £397m in 2018/19.

Projections from local authorities, submitted to researchers, finds that spending could reach £1.125m by 2027/28.

The report highlights a 36 per cent increase in the use of private taxis as home to school transport for children with SEND since 2019 “due to the complexity of children’s needs, parental expectations and demand for individual travel arrangements”.

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