English councils warn special needs education debts could reach ten billion pounds

English councils are warning of potentially catastrophic debts from special educational needs and disability support that are forecast to reach ten billion pounds over the next 18 months, The Guardian reported. A rapid growth in demand for special educational needs and disability services in schools across England is driving the increase. [1][2][3][4]

The surge in Education, Health and Care Plan applications poses a risk to public finances and could lead to deteriorating support levels for children, according to The Guardian. Local authorities predicted that rapid growth in requests will lead to accumulated debts. [1]

The United Kingdom government recently cleared more than five billion pounds in historic council debts for special educational needs and disability services, The Guardian said. However, local authorities expect to re-accrue that five billion pound debt figure by April and double it by 2028. [1]