Labour faces its 'terrifying' new MPs rebellion over special needs reforms

EDUCATION ministers are gearing up for a battle with parents and Labour MPs when they publish dramatic reforms for special needs education in the autumn.

- By Jonathan Walker Whitehall Editor

Schools minister Catherine McKinnell suggested children with special needs could have their needs met without an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which entitles them to extra support such as personal tuition or speech therapy, but pledged that no child would be denied the help they need.

However the Department for Education said no decision had been made to cut the number of children with EHC plans.

It follows warnings that local authorities are being driven to bankruptcy by soaring demands for support while parents are being forced into legal battles to ensure their children get the help they require. Ministers insist the current system is failing the 1.7 million pupils with special needs and changes to be published in a white paper will improve outcomes for youngsters.