The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) estimated high-needs spending will rise to £15 billion a year by 2029, and councils’ SEND deficits will swell to £8 billion by 2028. It means spending on SEND alone would be much larger than the total budgets of several government departments, including the Ministry of Justice. The think tank warned that councils had “little control” over SEND spending, as it is determined by statutory provision set out in education, health and care plans (EHCPs). Amanda HopgoodThe Local Government Association has called for councils’ SEND deficits to be wiped as part of the reforms. ‘Fragmented system’As the number of children with EHCPs has soared, so has the number claiming child disability living allowance.