Liberal Democrats We must end the shameless profiteering fuelling the SEND
crisis



<[link removed]>




Dear John,

The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system is being pushed
to the brink, with families struggling to secure vital support for their
children.

Children with SEND deserve the same opportunities as every child. They should
get all the support they need to get the best education, so they can thrive not
only in childhood, but throughout their lives.

But it’s deeply disturbing that our country is currently failing in this
basic duty. Many parents are desperate, fighting tooth and nail to give their
children the best start in life.

But sadly, the system is letting children and their parents down far too
often.

This week, research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats reveals that private
SEND providers are shamefully profiteering from this crisis.

The top private equity companies providing SEND schooling have made profits
of over £100 million a year, with some making margins of over 20%. Some of them
are backed by companies based in tax havens or foreign sovereign wealth funds,
while they pay their directors six-figure salaries.



Read more ➜ <[link removed]>


Watch my interview with Sky News this morning ➜
<[link removed]>



Companies shouldn’t be making such astronomical profits off the backs of
disabled children, especially when council finances are on the brink, with many
facing bankruptcy and having to reduce or even end service provision for
vulnerable groups.

It’s clear: they are exploiting the shortage of SEND services for profit,
viewing children with special educational needs as cash cows.

This must end. That’s why we’re calling for private providers to face an 8%
cap on their profits, so money is channelled back into the SEND system and not
into the pockets of shareholders.

Firms exceeding this level should face sanctions, including returning these
excess profits to local authorities.

We proposed a cap as an amendment to the government’s Children’s Wellbeing
and Schools Bill, but sadly Labour voted to block it and the Conservatives
refused to back it. With the true scale of this scandal now revealed, will the
Government now listen?

Please share our demands with your friends and family:




Share:

<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>

<[link removed]>
This cap should go alongside other measures to boost the SEND system,
including supporting councils to build their own schools.

With Government plans for SEND reform due out later this year, now’s the time
to make our voices heard.

In July, Ed Davey and I wrote to the Prime Minister to outline our five
fundamental principles which we believe should underpin these upcoming reforms:



Read more ➜
<[link removed]>



If the Government follows these priorities, they’ll have our support.

It's time to put our children first, not corporate greed.

Best wishes,





Munira Wilson MP
Education, Children and Families Spokesperson
Liberal Democrats


<[link removed]>

Join us today


With our country facing immense challenges, from the NHS crisis to the
economy, and with liberal values under threat across the world, our voice is
needed now more than ever.

We will always stand up for the change that’s so desperately needed - but we
needyour help to deliver it.

If, like us, you believe that what is needed now more than ever is a fair,
free and open society, join us today to support our mission, as well as
unlocking many exclusive benefits.



Join as a Member ➜
<[link removed]>

Find out more about our membership options ➜ <[link removed]>

Already a Member?
Get in touch to let us know at [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
so that we can check your record.





Did you like this email?
Yes 😀
<[link removed]>
-No 🙁
<[link removed]>
View email in browser
<[link removed]>


You're receiving this email because you have signed up for our emails.

Want to change the kind of email you're getting? Update your email preferences

<[link removed]
0AB&id=0033z00002pr9VrAAI>

Don't want to get our emails anymore? Click here to unsubscribe
<[link removed]>
.

Published and promoted by Mike Dixon on behalf of the Liberal Democrats
<[link removed]>, 1 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PN.