Councils Spent £2.5bn Transporting Special Needs Kids to School Last Year

Rising Costs of School Transport for Special Needs Students

The increasing number of children with special educational needs (SEN) has led to a significant rise in the cost of school transport, placing a heavy financial burden on local councils. According to a recent report, councils spent nearly £2.5 billion last year on transporting children to school, driven by the growing demand for free transportation services.

This surge in costs has been described as "unsustainable" by officials, with the total expenditure on home-to-school transport rising by over 70% in less than a decade. The additional spending amounted to £415 million more than what was initially budgeted last year, causing many local authorities to struggle with balancing their budgets.

Approximately 520,000 children in England now receive transportation to school, and local authorities are finding it increasingly difficult to manage this legal obligation within their allocated funds. Councils are required to provide free transport for children with special educational needs or disabilities, those from low-income families, or pupils who cannot walk to their nearest suitable school due to distance.

The National Audit Office (NAO) report revealed that total spending on home-to-school transport increased from £1.36 billion in 2015-16 to £2.32 billion in 2023-24. This increase is largely attributed to the growing number of children identified as having special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), which includes conditions such as ADHD.

The number of children with an education plan for SEND has risen dramatically, increasing by 166% in a decade—from 240,000 in 2015 to 639,000 in January 2025. These plans, known as SEND and education, health and care (EHC) plans, outline legally enforceable entitlements to specific support for children and young people up to the age of 25.

The NAO highlighted that the sharp increase in the number of children assessed as having SEND needs has significant implications for free home-to-school transport. Council spending on transport for school children with SEND has increased by 106% in a decade, costing local authorities £1.52 billion last year. A large portion of this expense went toward vehicles such as taxis and private hire cars.

On average, the cost per SEND pupil for transport was £8,116 a year, but one local authority reported transport costs of about £145,000 per year for a single pupil. The Department for Education estimates that, based on current trends, the cost of free school transport could exceed £3 billion by 2029-30.

Bill Revans, a disabilities spokesman for the County Councils Network, called the dramatic increase in spending on free school transport "unsustainable." He noted that councils in county areas are now spending more on school transport than they do on Sure Start centers, youth services, and family services combined.

The NAO found that local authorities consistently spend more on home-to-school transport than they have budgeted, leaving less money for other essential services. Last year, councils spent a total of £415 million—22% more than their budget allowed—for home-to-school transport, with almost half of local authorities reporting annual overspending of 20% or more.

Tory MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, stated that free school transport has become one of the fastest-growing costs for councils in recent years. He emphasized that the majority of this increase can be attributed to the rising costs of transporting children with SEND.

He added that the growing number of children and young people assessed as having special educational needs, higher transport operator costs, and provider capacity constraints are all contributing to the escalating financial pressures on local authorities. "The Schools White Paper, now delayed to 2026, and forthcoming SEND reforms must tackle these unsustainable expenditure rises and ensure that the children and young people who rely on this invaluable service continue to be supported in their access to education," he said.

Labour's planned reforms to special needs funding, which were set to be announced this autumn, have been delayed by several months. The Government’s Schools White Paper will now be released early in the New Year after ministers stated it needed further work.

Key Challenges Facing Local Authorities

• Financial Strain: Local councils are struggling to manage the rising costs of school transport, which is now exceeding their budgets.
• Increased Demand: The number of children with special educational needs has surged, leading to higher transportation expenses.
• Resource Allocation: Councils are forced to divert funds from other essential services to cover the costs of school transport.
• Transport Costs: The cost per SEND pupil for transport is significantly high, with some cases reaching up to £145,000 annually.
• Future Projections: Experts predict that the cost of free school transport could surpass £3 billion by 2029-30 if current trends continue.

These challenges highlight the urgent need for sustainable solutions to address the growing financial burden on local authorities while ensuring that children with special needs continue to receive the support they require.