Lib Dems call for cap on SEND school profits

Private providers of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schooling should have their profits capped to stop “shameless profiteering,” the Liberal Democrats have said.

Research commissioned by the party has found some firms make tens of millions of pounds annually, with profit margins exceeding 20%.

The party’s education spokesperson Munira Wilson said profits should be capped at 8% to stop money meant for SEND children going “into the pockets of shareholders”.

Responding to the research, the government said Labour were requiring schools to focus on “improving children’s outcomes – not excessive profit-making”.

House of Commons Library analysis commissioned by the Lib Dems found several leading providers of SEND education, some backed by offshore private equity firms, have…