Member

Amendment 61 would amend the Bill so that it applies to schools that provide education for children with special educational needs and disabilities, rather than just children with education, health and care plans. All of us across the Committee are well aware of the difficulties associated with getting an education, health and care plan and, particular, that in some parts of the country the waiting list can be a number of years. As we debated at Second Reading, there are concerns that a number of pupils with special educational needs but without an education, health and care plan will now seek a plan and that this will add further burden and delay to the process of getting a plan as more people are incentivised to do so. Of course, this Bill, along with the decision to charge private schools VAT, punishes parents who choose to send their children to a private school rather than waiting for their EHCP to be granted. Of course, that is concerning. I hope the Minister can understand why the amendment seeks to address all SEND pupils rather than just those with an EHCP and why that is so important and that he will give careful consideration to my suggestions.