Sir Keir Starmer is scrambling to prevent another backbencher revolt as Downing Street weighs up options to scale back proposed special educational needs reforms.
Insiders fear yet another humiliating comedown for the Prime Minister, blasting the situation as a “bloody mess” on the day Andrew Gwynne announced he is standing down as an MP, paving the way for Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to potentially run in a by-election in his Gorton and Denton constituency.
Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, is reportedly examining plans to restrict education, health and care plans to only the most severe and complex cases.
However, officials at No10 are said to be anxious about proceeding with such changes, with backbenchers marshalling to resist.
With a white paper expected within weeks, those inside the decision process have issued a damning verdict on the considerations.
“It’s still a bloody mess, a couple of weeks before the white paper,” the insider told The Times.
“If they go ahead (with proposed changes) they could have a fight like with the welfare bill and pensioners. It’s going to be extremely challenging.”
Downing Street is understood to be gravitating towards making only superficial adjustments to the current framework rather than pursuing fundamental change.
The Prime Minister is scrambling to prevent another rebellion over key policy reform
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“The politics are too hard. There would need to be legislation (to change the system) and that could lead to them losing another vote or yet another U-turn,” the source added.
Ms Phillipson previously described inheriting a Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (Send) system that was “on its knees” and failing schools, families and local authorities alike.
Expenditure on high-needs provision climbed from £7.5 billion in 2016 to at least £12 billion this year, with projections suggesting it will surpass £21 billion by 2029.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies reported Send spending was expected to more than double in real terms between 2015 and 2028, with these increases largely funded by reducing allocations to mainstream schools.
Bridget Phillipson is eyeing reform to Special Educational Needs & Disabilities spending
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PAHowever, Helen Hayes, the Labour MP chairing the Education Select Committee, warned against restricting access to support plans.
She said: “Any erosion of current rights and entitlements will simply undermine confidence further and that the government should not therefore go down this route.”
Schools minister Georgia Gould, who holds responsibility for Send policy, postponed an earlier version of the white paper that had been scheduled for release last autumn.
The source indicated that Ms Gould, who has earned the confidence of parents and Send campaigners, halted the document because the preparatory work was inadequate.
Hayley Harding, who founded the campaign group LetUsLearnToo, said: “We are really thankful that she (Gould) has actually taken the time to listen to parents’ views and included us in the development group.”
Ms Harding contrasted this with her experience of Catherine McKinnell, who left the schools minister role in September, describing interactions as “non-existent”, per The Times.
She said: “Had she continued in her role, I dread to think where we could have ended up.”
A Government source insisted the Department for Education is “working in lockstep” on the issue, dismissing critical briefings as “uninformed”.
It could represent yet another U-turn for Labour
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If Sir Keir were to scale back the policy for fear of another revolt, it would represent yet another U-turn for the Government.
It would add to the daunting tally of more than a dozen policy reversals executed by Labour since coming to power in July 2024.
These have included tax rises, slashing winter fuel payments, welfare reforms and holding a grooming gangs inquiry.