Across the country, school leaders are sounding the alarm over funding pressures, warning that everyday classroom budgets are being drained to cover rising costs for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
A new report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has highlighted that the Government is approaching a “crunch time” on this issue.
Mainstream Schools Feeling the Pinch
The IFS analysis reveals that spending on SEND is expected to more than double in real terms between 2015 and 2028.
However, most of this extra funding isn’t coming from new money—it’s being redirected from mainstream school budgets.
The result? Schools have less to spend on essentials like pencils, textbooks, and day-to-day classroom needs.
Union Leaders Speak Out
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the ASCL heads’ union, warned that the current approach is unsustainable.
“We cannot continue funding spiralling SEND costs by squeezing mainstream schools,” he said.
“Even with this reallocation, the level of need often exceeds what’s available.
Schools are cutting back on the curriculum, pastoral care, and extracurricular activities, while class sizes grow.”
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, echoed these concerns, noting that “schools are running on empty,” struggling even for basic supplies like pens and glue sticks.
Government Faces Tough Choices
The IFS says ministers now face a stark choice: slow SEND spending growth, continue to tighten mainstream school budgets, or fund SEND through higher taxes or cuts elsewhere.
While school funding has bounced back to 2010 levels after years of austerity, much of the recent increase is being eaten up by SEND costs.
Between 2019/20 and 2025/26, spending per pupil rose by 10% in real terms—but once SEND spending is removed, mainstream schools only saw a 5% increase, roughly the same as 2015/16 levels.
Luke Sibieta, IFS research fellow, described the situation as “the most important education issue facing the Government,” stressing that SEND problems have been growing for years and require urgent reform for the sake of children, families, and schools.
Josh Hillman from the Nuffield Foundation added that without decisive action, SEND costs could overwhelm available resources, threatening the quality of education.
Funding Gap Raises Concerns
Forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility suggest a £6 billion gap between expected SEND costs and funding by 2028/29.
If the shortfall were covered from mainstream school budgets, per pupil spending could fall by nearly 5%.
While the Government insists the deficit will be absorbed at the overall budget level, local councils and school leaders warn that the situation is a national crisis affecting thousands of children and families.
Government Response
A Department for Education spokesperson emphasized that steps are being taken to create an inclusive education system.
Plans include investing £200 million in teacher training and at least £3 billion to create 50,000 new specialist SEND places.
Overall, core school funding is set to rise by £4.2 billion by 2028/29, with per pupil funding reaching its highest ever level.
The Government reiterated that any SEND deficits will be managed within the wider government budget, not by cutting other school spending.
The Road Ahead
With SEND spending projected to keep growing, schools, unions, and councils are calling for clarity and decisive action.
Without it, mainstream education risks being continually squeezed, leaving teachers, students, and families navigating a funding gap that shows no sign of closing.
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