Commenting on this much needed investment for SEND provision, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"This investment of £3billion over four years for special educational needs is welcome news today.
"This money will significantly increase the number of places at specialist settings which has a number of benefits. First and foremost, this ought to reduce waiting lists that cause misery and deep anxiety for parents. Importantly, it should reduce the problematic reliance on independent special schools, many of which are provide a low standard of education and are bankrupting the system with their profiteering.
"Funding 50,000 new places in mainstream and specialist settings will address desperate shortfalls and bottle necks.
"It is sensible to create specialist places within reach of more families, to reduce travel times and ensure children with SEN can have a place in the right setting for them. Currently children with SEN are having to travel far too great a distance each day, many aren’t in the right setting and this puts pressure on the education workforce.
"Teachers, leaders and support staff will welcome the additional investment because there is such anxiety about the current gap between what pupils need and what is available.
"Given the context of declining pupil numbers, the move away from free schools is entirely rationale and will enable better place planning. Local authorities must be properly in charge of place planning, to meet local need, so the aspects of the announcement which restore flexibility for LAs are welcome’’.