DEVON County Council has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it will fund the lion’s share of local authorities’ historic Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) deficits.

The decision represents a significant step forward for children, young people and families, and will help stabilise SEND finances, allowing more of Devon’s own resources to be directed into improving support and outcomes for children.

Councillor James Buczkowski, Member for Finance, said: ‘This is a very welcome announcement and a major step forward.

‘It gives the council greater financial stability in SEND and allows us to focus more of our resources on improving frontline support for children and young people’.

The announcement comes after years of rising demand and costs in SEND services, during which councils have been required to manage increasing pressures within a funding system that has relied heavily on local council tax.

Councillor Buczkowski added: ‘For too long, councils have faced rising demand while the balance of funding has shifted away from national government and onto local taxpayers.

‘We now need to work through the detail of the announcement, but this puts us in a stronger position to set a 2026 budget that is focused on supporting children and young people and protecting vital services’.