Reform UK deputy leader says SEND system being ‘hijacked’ by parents

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system is being “hijacked by parents who are abusing the system,” describing provision for some children as unnecessary and characterising the situation as a “major crisis.” He made the remarks in an interview ahead of his party’s conference in Birmingham this week.

Tice told the BBC the SEND system was “out of control” and criticised what he described as misuse of home-to-school transport, calling it “free taxi transport for their children.” He said the situation was “ludicrous” and added, “I’m seeing it all over the country. That’s got to stop.”

Councils across South East England have repeatedly warned about the rising costs of supporting children with additional needs, while demand for SEND support has increased. Local authorities and education funding bodies have flagged budget pressures as they seek to provide individualised support plans, specialist placements and transport arrangements for pupils assessed as requiring SEND services.

The government has said it will set out plans to overhaul the SEND system in October. Officials and local authorities have faced long-standing criticism over delays in assessments, disputes over education, health and care (EHC) plans, and the affordability of specialist provision. Tice’s comments follow those wider concerns but focus on what he described as parental abuse of entitlements.

Advocates for children with disabilities and some local authority leaders have in the past cautioned against broad-brush characterisations of parents seeking support, saying that many families pursue SEND provision to secure appropriate education and care for children with genuine needs. Campaigners and professionals have also pointed to systemic issues, such as shortages of specialist staff and placements, that contribute to delays and rising costs.

Tice’s remarks were made during media interviews in the run-up to Reform UK’s conference in Birmingham, where party leaders and delegates were expected to outline policy priorities. The BBC report carrying his comments was published this week.

The government has not yet published the details of its planned October SEND reforms. Officials have previously said any overhaul would seek to address assessment timescales, fairness in provision and the financial sustainability of local SEND services. Local authorities, parent groups and sector bodies will be among those watching for how the proposals aim to balance support for children with additional needs and the pressures on public finances.