SEND debts being written off for councils

The government has decided to write off 90% of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) related debt for councils. Both Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council have described this move as “positive", reported by BBC.

Wiltshire’s SEND debt is forecast to reach £96 million by April this year, while Swindon’s stands at £24.5 million. Swindon Council’s Labour leader Jim Robbins called it “really positive news.

The government will spend £5 billion on this measure. Councils have said that if the debts had been called in, bankruptcy could have been a risk. A report from the Local Government Association warned that eight in ten English councils would go bust if the debts were not paid.

The number of children supported by SEND services increased by 51% between 2018/19 and 2022/23, with requests for plans rising 46% over the same period.

Wiltshire Council had already set aside £18 million, and the debt write-off will leave a residual deficit of around £15 million. Liberal Democrat leader Ian Thorn said this was “welcome news” and would give the council more confidence in planning.

Swindon Borough Council is expected to have £22 million written off, leaving £2.45 million to manage through savings. Both councils are awaiting more details on how the write-off will be implemented.