Sophie calls for fairer special needs funding

Whitchurch and Tongwynlais Councillor, and Labour's candidate for Cardiff North at May's Assembly elections, Sophie Howe, has called for a fairer system of funding for special educational needs.

Sophie is a member of the Council's Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, which was taking evidence from Debbie Mitchell, the head of the Council's special educational needs service, and Hugh Knight, the chief schools officer. Sophie raised concerns that the gap between the amount Cardiff Council spends per child with special needs and the Welsh average is widening.

Sophie said: "Cardiff Council currently spends around £546 on each child each year, £66 lower than the Welsh average. Clearly a fresh approach to funding is needed."