Makerfield by-election: Kenyon outlines Reform UK priorities on Wigan special needs provision
Reform UK’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election Rob Kenyon has spoken out on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision in Wigan, which he has described as a “major issue” and one of the “most common concerns” he’s heard on the doorstep.
In a Facebook post, the father-of-two called the current situation where families are required to send their children across Wigan to access specialist support “unacceptable”.
He called for an “overhaul” of SEND provision, giving local mainstream schools the resources they need to support children closer to home.
He said that this would keep children near their support networks and cut costs.
Coun Kenyon pointed to Reform-led Lincolnshire County Council which had already:
- Created 600 additional local specialist places for children with SEND.
- Achieved one of the best records in the country when it comes to EHCPs, having issued 97 per cent of EHCPs within the statutory 20-week target.
- Embedded early intervention to cut waiting times, improve outcomes, and in many cases prevent the need for an EHCP altogether.
He said: “The current situation is unacceptable. Too many families are forced to send their children across Wigan to access specialist support. This system is failing our children.
"We need to overhaul SEND provision so that local mainstream schools have the resources to support children closer to where they live.
"This keeps them near their friends, families, and support networks, as well as improving outcomes and delivering major savings that can be reinvested in better services.
"It would also mean that more places would be available in specialist schools for children with complex SEND needs.”
The by-election candidates are: Jake Austin (Liberal Democrats), Count Binface (Count Binface Party), Andy Burnham (Labour and Co-operative Party), Dan Clarke (Libertarian Party), John Dyer (independent), Ed Gemmell (Climate Party), Paul Gould (independent), Howling Laud Hope (Official Monster Raving Loony Party), Rob Kenyon (Reform UK), Robert Pownall (independent), Rebecca Shepherd (Restore Britain), Sarah Wakefield (Green Party), Peter Ward (Rejoin EU Bring in PR) and Michael Winstanley (Conservative).