Campaigners slam government plans to slash special education needs projects by a fifth

CAMPAIGNERS have hit out at government plans to slash special educational needs projects by a fifth.

The Department for Education has drawn up a document urging councils to cut spending by at least 20 per cent.

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The Department of Education has drawn up a document urging councils to cut special education spending by a fifth[/caption]

This is despite ministers telling MPs there was no reduction target.

The Sun has been running its Give It Back campaign to stop funding cuts.

Councils are already struggling with increased demand for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) programmes and tight budgets.

Campaigners say the government plans will result in children’s education being “sacrificed to balance the books”.

The DfE signed a £19.5million contract last June with consultancy firm Newton Europe to deliver the cuts.

Gillian Doherty of campaign group Send Action hit out: “This is irresponsible.

“Aside from potential legal implications, it will simply push the funding problem down on to schools, which are in a state of financial crisis.

“Parents already face massive battles to get their children the help they need and are entitled to.

“This is going to make it even harder.”