Overview
- At a Westminster press conference, Richard Tice warned SEND spending is "out of control" and said unchecked costs would squeeze basic council services such as bin collections and pothole repairs.
- He argued there is widespread over-diagnosis, called classroom ear defenders "insane," and alleged some families and providers exploit the system for financial gain.
- Proposals included scrapping annual EHCP reviews he said cost £2,000–£4,000 each, shifting identification and support back to schools, and cutting costly taxi transport for pupils.
- Education unions and disability charities condemned the remarks as stigmatizing and inaccurate, saying adjustments like ear defenders are essential supports and that the system’s failure stems from underfunding.
- Tice cited rapid growth in EHCPs and a £10 billion annual bill as his figures, while separate research from county councils projects steep SEND deficits by 2029; no government policy changes have been announced.