Additional Send places will be available following £3bn commitment for schools

AROUND 50,000 new school places will be created for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) from £3billion funding, the Government has announced.

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Some of the cash will go towards creating places across the country in local mainstream schools for children with Send so they are less likely to have to travel far for their education.

Schools will be able to use the capital funding to create things like breakout spaces for children who may need more support, or rooms to support children with autism or ADHD who may feel overstimulated in the classroom.

It comes after Government figures estimated local authorities are funding home to school transport for around 180,000 pupils with Send.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the Government will make sure local schools are the right schools for children and young people with Send.

"This £3 billion investment will transform lives," she said. "It will open the door to opportunity for tens of thousands of children with Send, giving them the chance to learn, belong and succeed in their local community."

The Government has also announced it will likely cancel 28 out of 44 mainstream free school projects after a review was launched last year, which is expected to save around £600 million, the Press Association understands.

Those likely to be cancelled include one of three new sixth forms in disadvantaged areas proposed by Eton College and academy trust Star Academies.