PolicyLens

Green - Education

Increase SEND funding by GBP 5bn

Add around GBP 5bn for special educational needs and disabilities support.

Last updated: May 2026.

Read the policy-specific methodology note

Policy baseline

Green education pledges include around GBP 5bn for SEND. Demand, diagnosis and local-authority deficits create large uncertainty.

  • Targets children with SEND and councils.
  • Existing deficits may absorb new funding.
  • Specialist workforce is limited.

Core trade-offs

The direct beneficiaries are children with send and families. The costs fall mainly on taxpayers and education authorities. The main economic question is demand may rise with better provision.

  • Children with send and families gain most directly.
  • Costs fall mainly on taxpayers and education authorities.
  • Key risk: demand may rise with better provision.

Fiscal impact by 2028-29

+GBP 3.0bn to +GBP 10.0bn. Central estimate: +GBP 5.0bn.

  • Positive numbers mean net fiscal cost; negative numbers mean Exchequer savings.
  • Main channel is the scored tax, spending or delivery change.
  • Offsets depend on tax receipts, behaviour and pass-through.
  • Range reflects uncertain implementation and economic response.
  • This is not an official costing.

Economic impact by 2028-29

  • Jobs: Education hiring rises; shortages and retention problems may cap delivery.
  • Wages: Teachers, childcare staff or students gain; taxpayers fund the cost.
  • Prices: Childcare prices may fall if supply expands; wage pressure can offset subsidies.
  • GDP / productivity: Long-run gains possible; short-run GDP effects depend on staffing and quality.

Assessment

This is a real trade-off, not a free gain. Children with send and families benefit, while taxpayers and education authorities bear most costs. Overall output depends on behaviour, capacity and pass-through.

Confidence: Medium-low. Higher on the policy target and fiscal channel; lower on behaviour, pass-through and economy-wide effects.

Main risks

  • Staffing shortage: Recruitment and retention can limit delivery.
  • Quality variation: Extra places or grants do not guarantee high-quality provision.
  • Long payback: Economic returns take years and are hard to score fiscally.

Safeguards

  • Target shortages and disadvantaged pupils.
  • Audit quality and staff retention.
  • Evaluate outcomes before expansion.

Academic evidence

Jackson, Johnson and Persico, Quarterly Journal of Economics, 2016

School spending outcomes

Higher school spending improved adult outcomes, especially for low-income children.

Supports long-run gains from education spending.

School Spending and Educational Outcomes (2016)

UK government evidence

Green Party of England and Wales, 2024

Green manifesto

The manifesto defines the tax, spending, climate, housing and public-service proposals modelled here.

Used to define the scenario, not as an official costing.

Manifesto for a Fairer, Greener Country (2024)

Department for Education, 2025

School funding statistics

DfE statistics provide the school-spending baseline and pupil-funding context.

Used to scale new education spending.

School funding statistics (2025)

HM Treasury, 2025

Spending Review baseline

Departmental baselines affect whether stated school funding is additional.

Supports the fiscal counterfactual.

Spending Review 2025 (2025)

Sources

Other Green policies

PolicyLens estimates are illustrative and should not be treated as official costings.