Issue

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) transport

4 stories · 4 councils

Councils are currently addressing significant budget pressures, with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) transport costs contributing to projected deficits.

Bexley Council is facing a projected budget gap of £21.8 million by 2030, with structural pressures in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) transport identified as a contributing factor, according to its updated Medium-Term Financial Strategy in July 2026. This deficit is expected to widen from £8.19 million in 2027-28 to £21.88 million by 2030-31.

To manage costs for transportation services specifically arranged for pupils with special educational needs, Harrow Council plans to save approximately £2 million annually by opening a new SEN school for 292 pupils, as heard by its Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January 2026. Merton Council also discussed exploring potential savings in SEND transport in November 2025 to address a projected budget gap of £20.422 million by 2029-30.

Bromley Council's Audit and Risk Management Committee approved deferring an audit of its SEND Transport system to the 2026/27 financial year in November 2025. This delay is due to implementation issues with a new system, which is now anticipated to launch in January 2026.

Key facts

  1. Bexley Council faces a projected budget gap of £21.8 million by 2030, partly due to SEND transport pressures. Source
  2. Harrow Council plans to save approximately £2 million annually on SEN transport by opening a new SEN school. Source
  3. Harrow Council currently spends around £8 million annually on SEN transport. Source
  4. Merton Council is exploring savings in SEND transport to address a projected £20.422 million budget gap by 2029-30. Source
  5. Bromley Council delayed an audit of its SEND Transport system to 2026/27 due to delays in implementing a new system. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Bexley Council Faces £21.8m Budget Gap by 2030 Amidst Social Care and Inflation Pressures Bexley Council is facing a projected budget gap of £21.8 million by 2030, according to its updated Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). Bexley 3 July 2026
  2. Harrow Council to Open New SEN School, Saving £2m Annually Harrow Council is poised to save approximately £2 million annually with the development of a new special educational needs (SEN) school, designed to accommodate 292 pupils. Harrow 18 January 2026
  3. Merton Council Considers Savings in SEND Transport and Adult Social Care to Address Budget Gap Merton Council is exploring potential savings in its budget for the upcoming years, with a focus on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) transport and adult social... Merton 30 November 2025
  4. Bromley Council Delays SEND Transport System Audit Due to Implementation Delays Bromley Council's Audit and Risk Management Committee has approved the deferral of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Transport audit to the 2026/27 financial... Bromley 10 November 2025