Keir Starmer faces fresh Labour revolt over special needs support reforms

After welfare humiliation, Starmer has a new headache: Education reforms of Bridget Phillipson

Following the welfare U-turn, Starmer now faces backlash over education reforms that critics fear could strip vital support from children with special needs

Keir Starmer battles to prevent another domestic calamity

Starmer’s reforming Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will hope to avoid the turmoil that engulfed Labour’s welfare shake-up.

SEND: Labour's next backbench battle

Keir Starmer and the Labour government are still smarting from a punishing Commons rebellion over welfare reform. Now, backbenchers are revolting again over Special Educational Needs. Labour are due to release a white paper outlining an overhaul of SEND in October. The government says the provisions need reform – but backbenchers and campaigners are already voicing concern over whether this is a further cost-cutting exercise at the expense of vu…

SEND reform is needed - but No 10 can't afford another party meltdown

Discontent among backbenchers is rising following Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s refusal on Sunday to provide a legal guarantee of special needs support for schoolchildren. At its core is whether backbenchers can trust ministers, a direct fallout from the Government’s U-turns on winter fuel payments and the welfare bill.This autumn, Phillipson will set out the implementation of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms,…

Starmer Faces Another Showdown With His Party Over Special Needs

Keir Starmer is already facing another showdown with his own MPs, only days after last week’s humiliating climbdown on his government’s welfare reforms. This time, it’s on his government’s plans to change the system for special needs support in schools.

Minister dodges questions on special education as Starmer faces new revolt threat

Education minister Stephen Morgan declined to say if pupils currently getting special educational needs support would continue to get the same level under planned reforms