Ealing Council is not among 16 London boroughs said to be at heightened risk of bankruptcy amid growing financial pressures linked to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) funding.
London Councils — the cross-party body representing local authorities across the capital — warned last week that half of all boroughs in the capital could face severe financial strain by 2026–27 as SEND-related budget deficits continue to climb.
An Ealing Council spokesperson told EALING.NEWS: “Ealing Council has a good record of managing SEND pressures. However, in line with the national trends, the council is experiencing increasing pressures with SEND funding and as a result have a comparatively small but growing deficit in this area.”
They added: “The council has prepared a deficit action plan and is working with its Schools Forum and the Department of Education to reduce and ultimately eliminate the deficit. This deficit has been ringfenced until March 2026 and so has no impact on the council’s general fund and financial standing.”
According to London Councils, across London, the number of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) rose by 9% in a year, from 85,601 in 2023 to 93,487 in 2024. London Councils projects SEND provision deficits could total £500 million by 2026-27, potentially destabilising borough budgets.
Councillor Ian Edwards, London Councils’ Executive Member for Children and Young People, called for urgent action: “Boroughs are determined to provide high-quality support for all young Londoners with SEND, but we’re extremely concerned by the unsustainable finance pressures we face.”
He added: “The sums don’t add up. Government funding has failed to keep pace with rising levels of SEND support need in the capital, leading to major deficits.”
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