Sixteen of London’s 33 local authorities are at heightened risk of bankruptcy because of insufficient schools funding from the government, according to London Councils.

London Councils forecasts that boroughs’ deficits for SEND provision will total £500m by the end of 2026-27 – destabilising town hall budgets and undermining investment in schools’ resources and support for pupils.

Cllr Ian Edwards, London Councils’ Executive Member for Children and Young People, said: “Boroughs are determined to provide high-quality support for all young Londoners with SEND, but we’re extremely concerned by the unsustainable finance pressures we face.

“The sums don’t add up. Government funding has failed to keep pace with rising levels of SEND support need in the capital, leading to major deficits.

“The Spending Review needs to recognise these pressures and help us restore stability to the system. We are calling for funding that reduces the deficit and reflects London’s fast-growing SEND numbers, enabling us to boost inclusion in schools and continue meeting the needs of all children in the capital.”

The Chancellor will reveal her long-term budget plans for public services on Wednesday, but there is speculation London is set to be snubbed in the government's Spending Review.

Cllr Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils said boroughs needed "as much money as the government can afford" in the spending review to prevent a "crisis".

Councils are asking for emergency funding for temporary accommodation, homelessness and adults and children's social care pressures, investment in housing and infrastructure and funding to invest in prevention.

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The figures for the London Councils’ Grants Programme 2022-26 have now been added to 360Giving.  360Giving aims to help UK grant makers (including the London boroughs) publish their data openly online to an agreed data standard. Publishing our grants in an open format on our own website and through 360Giving, means that it can be shared and compared more easily, to show which programmes of work are being funded for more effective grant making, and to reduce duplication.  

London Councils continues to encourage other London boroughs publish their data on 360Ggiving as a demonstration of transparency and good practice.  You can see both our current and previous programmes' data on our website and find out more about 360Giving.