Despite rising demand, urgent calls from families, and overwhelming evidence of a broken SEND system, the 2025 Spring Budget offered no new funding or practical support for children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
This silence speaks volumes. Thousands of families across the UK are desperately trying to get the right education and care in place for their neurodivergent children, yet the government has failed to act.
❌ What Was Missing?
- No new EHCP funding despite record waiting times and tribunal backlogs.
- No additional support for Local Authorities to deliver plans that are already in place.
- No action on special school capacity, despite many being oversubscribed and turning children away.
- No clarity on SEND reform proposals still stuck in consultation and pilot phases.
Instead, the focus turned to welfare and working families.
⚠️ Carers Could Be Asked to Work More
Hidden in the detail of the Budget were proposals that could place more pressure on unpaid carers, especially parents of disabled children who currently receive Universal Credit. The Chancellor reaffirmed plans to:
- Increase expectations for claimants to prove they are actively preparing for work.
- Review Limited Capability for Work rules, which could affect carers and parents of children with high needs.
- Link benefits more closely to conditionality, even for those with caring responsibilities.
For many parents, the idea of working full-time is simply not realistic. Caring for a child with autism, ADHD, PDA or complex SEND is already a full-time job.
🤝 How AskEllie Can Help
At AskEllie, we believe every family deserves support, clarity, and strength in numbers. If you’re:
- Struggling to get an EHCP or facing delays
- Being pressured to send your child into an unsuitable school
- Worried about benefit changes and what they mean for you
Ellie can help you with:
- ✉️ Drafting letters to schools, local authorities, or DWP
- ⏰ Understanding legal deadlines and your rights
- 💰 Benefit guidance (DLA, PIP, UC) and what to do if you’re being asked to work more hours
- 📃 Templates to respond to tribunals, reviews or complaints
🚨 Your Voice Matters More Than Ever
We’re collecting real stories from parents and carers to take to Parliament. If you’re struggling or have been let down by the system, share your experience here:
Change won’t come from the top. It will come from all of us, together.
📢 If you’re worried about how the Budget affects your family, visit www.askellie.co.uk and get free support, advice, and solidarity.
You’re not alone. And you shouldn’t have to figure this out on your own.
— The AskEllie Team
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