Overview
- Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told the Education Select Committee the plan will be published early in the new year rather than this autumn.
- The Department for Education will test options through regional listening sessions and fortnightly meetings with parent and expert groups, led by new schools minister Georgia Gould.
- Phillipson set out five principles for change — Early, Local, Fair, Effective, Shared — including evidence-based support and clear safeguards for families.
- Campaigners and councils criticised the delay for prolonging uncertainty as EHCPs reached 638,745 by January 2025 and high‑needs deficits mounted.
- Government sources cited the need to build consensus and avoid perceptions of cost-cutting near the Budget and a potential backbench revolt, while an IPPR taskforce proposed a new statutory school-based support tier for SEND.