Issue

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG)

28 stories · discussed at 23 council meetings · 25 councils

Councils are currently addressing significant Dedicated Schools Grant deficits, largely due to rising Special Educational Needs and Disabilities costs, with some expecting a government stability grant.

Kingston Council is currently addressing a cumulative Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit of £20.5 million, as revealed at a Schools Forum meeting in September 2026. This follows Greenwich Council reporting an £18.1 million DSG overspend in September 2026, primarily due to pressures in the High Needs Block. Haringey Council also faces a net DSG forecast overspend of £8.4 million, mainly related to the High Needs Block, according to a finance update report in September 2026.

Several councils are grappling with significant DSG deficits, largely driven by increasing demand and costs for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision. Havering Council faces an estimated £45 million DSG overspend, concentrated in the High Needs Block, as reported to its Cabinet in September 2026. Kensington and Chelsea's Schools' Forum received an update in June 2026 on a worsening DSG deficit of £4.088 million.

A proposed government stability grant is expected to write off 90% of DSG deficits as at March 31, 2026, which Kingston Council anticipates will reduce its deficit to £16.9 million. Kensington and Chelsea also expects a new High Needs Stability Grant to cover approximately £3.7 million of its deficit. The Dedicated Schools Grant is a government grant provided to local authorities to fund schools, including specific allocations for high needs provision.

Key facts

  1. Kingston Council's cumulative Dedicated Schools Grant deficit is £20.5 million. Source
  2. Greenwich Council faces an £18.1 million Dedicated Schools Grant overspend, primarily in the High Needs Block. Source
  3. Havering Council faces an estimated £45 million overspend in its Dedicated Schools Grant, concentrated in the High Needs Block. Source
  4. A proposed stability grant is intended to write off 90% of Dedicated Schools Grant deficits as at 31st March 2026. Source
  5. Hammersmith and Fulham Council confirmed a Dedicated Schools Grant of £127.775 million for its schools for the 2026/27 financial year. 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.

Stories, page 3

  1. Hounslow Boosts SEND Support with Programme Extension Hounslow Council's Cabinet has approved plans to extend the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Programme until the end of October... Hounslow 20 March 2026
  2. Haringey Council Faces £19m Revenue Variance Due to Budget Pressures and Undelivered Savings Haringey Council is facing a projected revenue outturn variance of £19 million for the General Fund in the 2025/26 financial year, according to the Quarter 3 finance update. Haringey 14 March 2026
  3. Hammersmith and Fulham Schools to Receive £127.775 Million Dedicated Schools Grant for 2026/27 Hammersmith and Fulham Council has confirmed a Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) of £127.775 million for its schools in the 2026/27 financial year. This represents a 1.58% increase... Hammersmith and Fulham 14 February 2026
  4. Richmond Schools Face £5.3m Deficit in Dedicated Schools Grant Due to High Needs Funding Shortfall Richmond's schools are facing a projected deficit of £5.3 million in their Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the current financial year, leading to a cumulative deficit of £5.5... Richmond upon Thames 1 February 2026
  5. Kingston Schools Face £12.7m Deficit Amidst Rising High Needs Costs Kingston schools are facing a projected deficit of £12.7 million for the 2025/26 academic year, primarily due to significant pressures within the High Needs Block. Kingston upon Thames 30 January 2026
  6. Haringey schools funding formula set for 2026-27 Haringey Council has finalised its schools funding formula for the 2026-27 academic year, ensuring a consistent approach aligned with the Department for Education's National... Haringey 25 January 2026
  7. Greenwich faces £7.3m overspend on SEND support due to rise in EHCPs, plans new school Greenwich faces a significant projected overspend of £7.29m in its High Needs Block (HNB), which funds support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).... Greenwich 21 December 2025
  8. Greenwich Schools Forum Discusses £0.5m Overspend in Central School Services Block Due to DfE Guidelines Royal Greenwich schools are facing a £0.5 million overspend in the Central School Services Block (CSSB), which funds central functions carried out by the local authority on... Greenwich 21 December 2025