Councils across England are calling for a 'radical' approach to the means testing of school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) in response to an unsustainable rise in demand. The local authorities are urging the government to consider these reforms as the annual expenditure for transporting these young individuals is projected to reach £3.4 billion by the fiscal year 2030-31, a significant increase from last year's £2 billion. Such reforms are deemed essential as local councils face the prospect of needing to transport an extra 100,000 pupils, which is equivalent to the size of a major city, within the next decade.

The County Councils Network (CCN) has articulated the need for policymakers to introduce a national means-testing system to determine financial contributions for families above a certain income level. This proposal aims to ensure that the increasing costs associated with Send transport can be managed without overwhelming local budgets. Officials emphasize that any implementation of means testing must be done in a sensitive and progressive manner, taking into account the current economic pressures families face, especially considering the rising cost of living.

The proposed changes signal a shift in how education support services might be funded in the future and reflect broader challenges within the UK's special education sector. As demand for services continues to grow, the recommendations from councils could influence upcoming government policies and lead to significant changes in how transport for Send children is funded, potentially creating a more sustainable framework for these critical services in the long term.