Huge boost to SEND building fund for Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

PRESS RELEASE FROM ALISTAIR STRATHERN MP

WEDNESDAY 25th MARCH 2026

Alistair Strathern, MP for Hitchin, has celebrated news Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire will receive a substantial increase in high‑needs capital funding for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), following the latest national allocations issued by the Department for Education.

Following Strathern’s campaigning on SEND in Beds and Herts, for the upcoming financial year, Hertfordshire County Council has been allocated an extra £6 million, the largest uplift in the country, while Central Beds Council will receive an extra £1 million.

These uplifts will leave Hertfordshire and Central Bedfordshire with High Needs Capital funding of £17 million and £5.5m respectively. It is a 55% increase for Hertfordshire and 25% increase in funding for Central Beds.

High‑needs capital funding is provided to support councils in ensuring that suitable, high‑quality places are available for children and young people with SEND and for those requiring alternative provision.

The funding can be used for projects such as creating new specialist school places, expanding existing special schools or resourced provisions, improving or adapting facilities in mainstream schools, and enhancing accessibility.

The increase in funding comes at a time when Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire continue to experience sustained growth in demand for specialist SEND provision.

Strathern has spoken about the particular issues for SEND provision in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire multiple times in the Commons including at PMQs and over a succession of meetings with Ministers. He set up a quarterly forum for MPs and Herts County Council on SEND, taken CBC to task over expanding provision, and held countless workshops and events to help put local experiences at the heart of reform proposals. 

Alistair Strathern MP said:

“It’s been heartbreaking speaking to so many young people and their families who’ve been failed by insufficient specialist provision locally. 

“That’s why for years since becoming an MP I have been campaigning to see real investment to give local families the SEND provision offer they deserve.

“I’m delighted we’ve been able to secure those big increases in funding for our local authorities, including the largest in the country for Hertfordshire. These extra millions mean serious investment in our local SEND system, and underline our commitment to delivering for local families. 

“There is still more to do, and I’ll be holding Hertfordshire and Central Beds to account for delivering on this funding. But this is a big and welcome step forward for local families who have been failed by the SEND system for far too long.”