Firstly, I hope everyone had a great Easter and was able to spend some time enjoying the long weekend. Parliament has now risen for the Easter recess and I am looking forward to working in Truro and Falmouth for the next couple of weeks.

One of the most common issues raised with me when I am out and about and in particular with parents contacting me with concerns, is around the support available for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

It is a good thing that our NHS and council services are increasingly able to diagnose and recognise conditions such as autism and ADHD in children and young people, but at the same time, it is critical that appropriate funds are provided to support these children and their families through their schooling and beyond.

Issues with delays to getting the support needed are often raised with by parents and this is something I am in regular contact with Cornwall Council about.

Cornwall Council have recognised the issue and in recent years have developed the ‘Celebrating Neurodiversity’ strategy. But it is also important that government plays its role in this and more funding is something I have long-lobbied for, along with my Cornish MP colleagues.

I was delighted then to see last week the government confirm a record annual investment of £850-million going to councils to create new places for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and in Alternative Provision (AP) in mainstream and special schools, and to improve the accessibility of existing buildings. As part of this, Cornwall will receive £9,701,294.

The government is sticking to the plan to ensure every child can receive the education they need to succeed, where hard work is rewarded and aspiration is celebrated. The funding is part of the £2.6-billion investment between 2022 and 2025 — more than tripling the previous levels of investment — to help to put an end to families having to fight for the right support for their children.

When combined with the places already being created by the special free schools programme, this funding is creating more than 60,000 new places across the country. This is helping to increase capacity, following a decrease in pupils in special schools from 1997 to 2010.

This is good news and I will continue to work with both Cornwall Council and the government to ensure that Cornwall continues to get its fair share and also that this money is quickly drawn down and used to help those who need it in our Duchy.  

As always, I am fully focused on the job at hand and if there is ever anything at all I can do to help, then please do not hesitate to contact me. Please get in touch with me by email at [email protected], or by telephone on 01872 229698. My regular constituency advice surgeries are held at my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me about any matters that I can be of assistance with.