PRESS RELEASE FROM ALISTAIR STRATHERN MP
TUESDAY 15th OCTOBER 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A group of cross-party Hertfordshire MPs have signed a joint, open letter to Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) underlining their concerns about Special Educational Need (SEND) provision in the county.
SEND issues are national in scope, but a recent Oftsed report in 2023 found highlighted the especially dire state of local provision in Hertfordshire. In their letter, local MPs acknowledged that progress has been made by the council, but said far more still needs to be done.
The group of MPs have requested quarterly meetings between all Hertfordshire MPs and HCC to monitor progress and challenge the local authority to ensure it is doing all it can to improve provision for young people with additional needs.
Last month, Hitchin MP Alistair Strathern chaired a Westminster Hall debate on the state of SEND provision in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Several of the signatories to the letter contributed to the debate, where they were able to share their constituents’ challenging experiences of local services with the Minister for School Standards, Catherine McKinnell.
The letter, organised by Alistair Strathern MP’s office was signed by the Hitchin MP, Andrew Lewin MP (MP for Welwyn Hatfield), Chris Hinchliff MP (MP for North East Hertfordshire), Daisy Cooper MP (MP for St Albans), David Taylor MP (MP for Hemel Hempstead), Josh Dean MP (MP for Hertford and Stortford), Kevin Bonavia MP, (MP for Stevenage), Matt Turmaine MP (MP for Watford) and Victoria Collins MP (MP for Harpenden and Berkhamsted.
Alistair Strathern MP said:
“As a former teacher, I know how vital it is to support every child in getting the education they deserve.
“SEND provision nationally is in an unacceptable state and, heartbreakingly, this is especially the case in Hertfordshire.
“I am thankful for all the cross-party MPs who signed our letter and have joined our effort. It’s been heartbreaking speaking to young people and their families across our constituencies who have been let down by the state of SEND provision in Hertfordshire, and we are resolute in our commitment to pushing for improvement.
“We look forward to working with Herts County Council to make real progress.”
Notes to Editors
You can see a clip from Alistair Strathern’s SEND debate, here
You can see a Hansard transcript of Alistair Strathern’s SEND debate here
You can see a clip of Mr Strathern speaking about SEND ahead of the debate on BBC 3 Counties, here
You can see a picture of Mr Strathern during the debate, attached.
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