AN MP claims provision for children with special educational needs is being overloaded by school cuts.

Anna Turley, Labour's MP for Redcar, challenged education ministers on the impact government cuts were having on disability and special needs provision within schools.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday at Education Questions, Ms Turley quoted the headteacher of a primary school in Grangetown who has warned SEND funding is in crisis.

She said: “One of my primary school headteachers told me last week, and I quote: ‘SEND funding is in crisis. We have pupils who have been promised a place at schools with a special educational needs base, but due to a lack of this specialist provision, pupils have had to remain at our school. We cater for their needs as much as we can but the reality is they are not getting the care they deserve.’

Ms Turley added: “We only have one chance at giving our children the best start in life, Minister.

“Will he look again to ensure the needs of all pupils are being met, particularly those with special needs?”

Children’s Minister, Nadhim Zahawi MP, highlighted an announcement this week that local authorities can bid to establish up to 37 new special free schools.

However there will only be three for the whole of the North-East.

Speaking afterwards, Ms Turley said: “The reality is special educational needs funding is being squeezed at both ends – by cuts to schools and cuts to local authorities.

“A recent survey showed a shocking 94 per cent of headteachers are finding it hard to meet the needs of pupils with SEND.

“Local authorities are also facing a special needs funding gap of almost £500m.

“This matches what I’m hearing from schools across our borough who are desperately trying to support all of their pupils.

“Extra school places are welcome but it won’t solve the pressures our schools are under.”

Yesterday Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, Simon Clarke, also raised the issue of a shortage of secondary school places with education secretary Damien Hinds.

Mr Clarke was concerned about the problem after it was revealed earlier this month that 100 Middlesbrough schoolchildren had been left without a place at any secondary school in the borough for September.

Those affected were advised to seek places at schools in neighbouring areas including North Yorkshire, Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland.

Mr Hinds said that a decision was due imminently for a new secondary free school at Middlehaven in Middlesbrough, which it is hoped will ease the pressure on school places.