Harpenden's MP has hit out at the "unfair" funding system for children with special needs, claiming that it has created a "lost generation" of students.

Speaking at a Westminster Hall debate chaired by neighbouring MP for Hitchin Alistair Strathern, Victoria Collins criticised Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), after Ofsted identified "widespread systemic failings" in its SEND provision.

The service received the lowest rating possible, with some children waiting more than 78 weeks for help.

Speaking in the debate last week (September 5), Ms Collins blamed the Conservative-led council, as well as the 'flawed' national funding formula that has seen the county receive the third-lowest cash per high-needs child funding in the country.

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Raising an example from her constituency of Harpenden and Berkhamsted, she said:  “One of my constituents, Charlotte, is a parent to three children, all with EHCPs (education, health and care plan) and complex SEND needs. Being in constant battle mode has become the norm, and resulted in her eldest child having to travel almost 100 miles a day to school. 

“The emotional wellbeing of Charlotte and her children has taken a toll, and her youngest has barely attended school since October 2023."

The funding model has been inherited by the Labour government from its Conservative predecessors and Ms Collins used her speech to call on children's minister Janet Daby to change the formula used to calculate funding.

Leader of Herts County Council, Cllr Richard Roberts, said: “Our SEND services, like those delivered by other local authorities up and down the country, continue to face a perfect storm of underfunding and increasing need, understandably leading to delays and dissatisfaction.

“By delivering millions of pounds of additional investment and radically transforming the way in which we work, bringing in more staff with lived experience of SEND we are genuinely turning a corner, delivering higher quality services, better overall outcomes and improved communication."