(UK) Beds: Council faces $55M SPED deficit

Feb 12, 2026, Leighton Buzzard Observer: Central Bedfordshire Council backs calls for fairer school funding and urgent reforms for special education

https://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/news/people/central-bedfordshire-council-backs-calls-for-fairer-school-funding-and-urgent-reforms-for-special-education-5588298 

Central Bedfordshire Council has backed national calls for increased and fairer funding for schools, as well as urgent reforms to address the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Local authorities across the country are forecast to face a combined SEND deficit of £6 billion [$8.2B] by April 2026, with Central Bedfordshire’s own deficit projected at more than £40 million [$55M].

Central Bedfordshire Council has backed calls for increased and fairer school funding

Central Bedfordshire Council is one of the lowest funded areas in the country for both mainstream education and SEND.

In 2026-2027 the authority will receive £8,883 per mainstream pupil, compared to more than £14,000 in the highest funded area.

Meanwhile Central Bedfordshire is set to receive £1,115 [$15,217] per pupil in High Needs funding, compared to some authorities that get more than £3,800.

Central Bedfordshire council leaders have already spoken to more than 50 MPs, calling on them to support a campaign by the F40, a group which represents the 43 lowest funded education authorities in the country.