Ministers urged to keep education plans for children with special needs

Ministers are facing calls to not cut education plans for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Campaigners say education, health and care plans (EHCPs) are “precious legal protections”, warning that thousands of children could lose access to education if the plans are abolished.

The government says it inherited the system “left on its knees”. Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described it as a “complex and sensitive area” when asked if she could rule out scrapping EHCPs.

But Neil O’Brien, the shadow education minister, has criticised the government for “broken promises and U-turns”.

An EHCP is a legally binding document which ensures a child…