Record £2.26bn bill
Council spending on transporting children with special educational needs (SEND) has reached record levels in England, with costs more than doubling in less than a decade.
New analysis shows local authorities spent £2.26bn on SEND transport in 2023-24, compared with just over £1bn in 2015-16 when figures were first recorded.
Rising demand for education, health and care plans (EHCPs), which entitle pupils to extra support including transport, has driven much of the increase. More than 5% of school-age children now have an EHCP, nearly double the proportion a decade ago.
Inefficiencies highlighted
Andy Mahoney, chief executive of 24×7 Group – the UK’s largest dedicated SEND transport provider – warned of “absurd” inefficiencies, such as taxis being dispatched long distances in opposite directions. He argued that with better central planning, more children could be placed in schools closer to home.
Mahoney suggested consortium bids for contracts, rather than piecemeal local deals, could save between 25% and 60% of costs. “I’m not in business to make excessive profits,” he said, noting his company’s 8% profit margin was in line with other taxi groups.
Pressure on councils
Data obtained from councils highlights stark differences in costs. In Hampshire, the average SEND transport spend per student in 2025-26 is forecast at £86 a day, compared with £46.84 nationally. North Yorkshire expects £78, while Surrey and Cheshire West and Chester anticipate £58.
Authorities blame shortages of in-borough places, meaning more children are sent to specialist schools outside council boundaries, alongside higher fuel and wage bills and reduced availability of operators. Hampshire forecast real-terms spending per pupil would climb by up to 77% between 2021-22 and 2025-26.
Political flashpoint ahead
The government is preparing a white paper this autumn to overhaul the SEND system, which has placed growing strain on local budgets. The proposals are likely to become politically sensitive after Labour faced a backbench rebellion against wider welfare cuts earlier this year.
Councils in Kent, Hampshire and Norfolk recorded the highest overall SEND transport bills in 2023-24, each spending more than £65m. Rural areas such as North Yorkshire, Dorset and Thurrock spend the most per student because of longer travel distances.
Local government leaders say the situation highlights the urgent need for more specialist school places and a sustainable funding model for SEND provision.
