A deepening financial crisis in England’s education sector has forced more than two-fifths of school leaders to cut vital support for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
A landmark study by the Sutton Trust, published today, 23 April 2026, reveals a stark “contradiction” between the UK Government’s ambitious inclusion reforms and the reality of depleting resources on the frontline.
The findings indicate that 71% of headteachers have been forced to reduce their number of teaching assistants (TAs) over the last year, the very staff members described by experts as the “backbone” of SEND integration in mainstream classrooms.
With 81% of school leaders warning of further cuts in the 2026-27 academic year, the crisis threatens to derail the Department for Education’s (DfE) flagship Every Child Achieving and Thriving white paper.
How Deep Do the Funding Cuts Go?
The Sutton Trust’s research, conducted by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), surveyed 1,105 state school teachers across England.
The data paints a grim picture of a system “running on empty,” where schools are forced to prioritise survival over specialist care.
🚨 NEW: Schools are continuing to cut back on staff, subjects, and SEND support, we have found.
Our new research reveals a worrying picture for schools, with essential staff and activities being cut to manage tight budgets ⬇️🧵 pic.twitter.com/N2ugVWXRSR
— The Sutton Trust (@suttontrust) April 23, 2026
We asked school leaders about SEND support.
43% reported making cuts to support for pupils with SEND.
Cuts were particularly acute in primary schools.
This underlines the need for action on staffing capacity if mainstream schools are to educate more pupils with SEND. pic.twitter.com/b0JQ6OBjXG
— The Sutton Trust (@suttontrust) April 23, 2026
Key findings from the April 2026 report include:
- Teaching Assistant Cuts: 71% of school leaders have cut TAs in the past 12 months.
- Support Staff Reductions: 49% have reduced general support staff levels.
- Primary vs. Secondary: SEND cuts are significantly more acute in primary schools (45%) compared to secondary schools (25%).
- Pupil Premium Erosion: 43% of leaders are now using “Pupil Premium” funding, intended for disadvantaged children, to plug general budget deficits.
The crisis emerges just as the government seeks to overhaul the SEND system. The proposed reforms aim to make mainstream schools more inclusive, reducing the reliance on expensive independent special school placements.
However, union leaders argue that without TAs to provide one-to-one support, these ambitions are “impossible” to realise.
Which Parts of England Are Being Hit Hardest?
While the funding crisis is national, the impact is felt most heavily in local authorities (LAs) struggling with massive high-needs deficits. Cities like Birmingham, Nottingham, and various coastal towns in the North East have reported significant strain on their education budgets.
In early 2026, the government moved to write off 90% of historic SEND deficits, a total package worth an estimated £5 billion, to prevent councils from facing insolvency.
Despite this, school leaders report that the “Minimum Per Pupil Funding” levels remain insufficient to cover the rising costs of specialist provision, energy bills, and staff pay rises.
Amidst these broader fiscal challenges, the government has recently capped student loan interest rates at 6% to provide some relief to those in higher education, though the primary sector continues to struggle.
What Are the ‘Double Disadvantage’ Risks?
Recent data suggests that the crisis is not just about funding, but about social mobility. The Sutton Trust highlights a “double disadvantage” where children from low-income backgrounds who also have SEND are being effectively shut out of top-performing schools.
| Impact Area | Percentage of School Leaders Reporting Cuts |
| Teaching Assistants | 71% |
| IT Equipment | 49% |
| SEND Support | 43% |
| School Trips/Outings | 47% |
| Extracurricular Activities | 32% |
“Top schools that are less representative of disadvantage also tend to be less representative of SEND. We are seeing a social segregation of the school system where the most vulnerable are left behind,” says Nick Harrison, CEO of the Sutton Trust.
How Have Official Bodies Responded?
The reaction from the UK’s leading educational bodies has been one of deep concern, calling the current trajectory “indefensible.”
Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL): “This research shows the contradiction which exists between the government’s aspirations and the money it is prepared to provide.
Schools are having to cut resourcing for SEND support at exactly the time the government has launched reforms which involve far more expectations on mainstream schools.”
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union (NEU): “Schools are running on empty and are having to make cuts to essentials simply to survive. Schools can’t meet the government’s ambitions on SEND support.”
A Department for Education (DfE) Spokesperson defended the record: “In 2026-27, the core schools budget will total £67bn, an increase of £1.7bn from last year. This includes significant additional investment to make our SEND reforms a reality.”
What Does This Mean for UK Families and Commuters?
For parents of children with SEND, these cuts translate to a “lottery in provision.” The loss of a teaching assistant often means a child can no longer remain in a mainstream setting, forcing families into lengthy legal battles for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
Public health remains a parallel concern for educational institutions; recently, schools in the south-east have been on high alert following fatal meningitis cases involving students in Kent. This highlights the immense pressure on school staff to manage both educational support and student well-being simultaneously.
What Happens Next?
The UK Government is currently in a consultation period for its SEND proposals, which is set to close on 18 May 2026.
- Legislative Changes: Major structural changes to SEND law are not expected to take full effect until September 2029.
- Spending Review: While the 2026-27 budget is set at £67bn, experts are watching the Autumn Statement to see if the £4.7bn cash-terms increase is further eroded by inflation and teacher pay settlements.
- Local Authority Deficits: The grant covering 90% of high-needs deficits is a one-off measure; long-term sustainability remains the primary concern for the Local Government Association (LGA).
