New battle for No 10 as MPs raise alarm on special needs provision

Downing Street faces another bruising battle after last week's humiliating retreat on welfare changes, as MPs, campaigners and parents voice concern at the overhaul of special needs education in England.

- Richard Adams Kiran Stacey

A letter to the Guardian, signed by dozens of special needs and disability charities and campaigners - including Jane Asher, the actor and president of the National Autistic Society - says parents fear the plans may restrict or abolish the education, health and care plans (EHCPs) that more than 600,000 children and young people rely on for individual support.

The letter, with more than 100 signatories backing the newly formed Save Our Children's Rights campaign, is calling for EHCPs to be retained, "now and in the future", to avoid thousands of children being "denied vital provision, or losing access to education altogether".

Labour MPs who spoke to the Guardian say ministers are unable to explain key details of the special educational needs (SEN) shake-up being considered in a schools white paper to be published in October. Several MPs warned that issues in the white paper such as the future of EHCPs could cause another rebellion, similar to that which forced the government to gut its welfare bill.

One MP said: "This could be a massive problem. We are hoping there will be proper engagement around it, but we are worried about some of the signals we are picking up."

Another said: "People are really, really worried about this. It is one of the things that is going to make people feel very, very uncomfortable."

The letter published in the Guardian is evidence of growing public concern, despite reassurances from the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, that no decisions have yet been taken about EHCPs.