Education

Concerns over taxpayers' money as SEND transport costs soar and scheme overlaps widen

Sunday, 16 November 2025 5:07AM UTC

Rising costs for home-to-school transport for children with special educational needs are sparking calls for better coordination, amid concerns over children’s access to vehicle benefits and potential duplicated funding with the Motability scheme.

Taxpayers are facing rising costs due to what Conservative politicians describe as “waste and duplication” in the provision of home-to-school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Concerns have been raised about councils not factoring in parents' access to vehicles leased through the Motability scheme when arranging transport support for SEND children. This issue points to inefficiencies that may be driving up public expenditure unnecessarily.

Recent research from the Local Government Association (LGA) highlights the scale of the challenge, with council spending on SEND home-to-school transport expected to near £2 billion by 2025/26. This represents a staggering 200% increase compared to a decade earlier. The average cost per child for this provision stands around £8,900 annually. The rise is attributed partly to a 40% growth in the number of SEND pupils needing transport and longer journey distances due to limited local special school placements, which often necessitate travel further afield.

The Motability scheme, which allows individuals receiving certain disability benefits to lease vehicles, plays a significant role in this context. In 2024-25, more than £3 billion in benefits supported the scheme, which currently offers an all-inclusive vehicle leasing package covering insurance, servicing, and maintenance. This package is reportedly at least 45% more affordable than equivalent market options, protecting disabled individuals from rising motoring costs amid economic pressures.

Despite these benefits, the government’s stance, as articulated by the education minister Georgia Gould, is that a child’s eligibility for free travel support is not diminished by any additional benefits or allowances received by their parents, including the higher rate mobility component that may facilitate Motability vehicle leasing. The decision-making process on whether to consider Motability scheme access when assessing transport requests for young people in post-16 education falls to local authorities, without central guidance enforcing a uniform approach.

Shadow communities minister David Simmonds has questioned whether officials have provided any guidance to local councils on this matter, highlighting the potential for duplicated funding or inefficient service delivery. The lack of a mandated assessment of vehicle availability through Motability when arranging school transport could lead to situations where taxpayers are subsidising transport already accessible to families, raising concerns over the prudent use of public funds.

The broader context around the Motability scheme indicates ongoing efforts to refine its offerings and support models for disabled people. Recent updates include the extension of a £750 New Vehicle Payment to assist new customers acquiring vehicles through the scheme, a move designed to make vehicle access more affordable. Furthermore, the Motability Foundation’s policy work envisages reforms that improve employment and social engagement opportunities for disabled individuals by enhancing the accessibility of transport options.

In sum, rising costs in SEND transport are creating significant pressure on public finances, with calls for greater efficiency and coordination between schemes like Motability and local authority provisions. The government’s current position leaves considerable discretion to local bodies, potentially perpetuating financial overlaps that could be better managed. With council spending set to increase further, clarity and strategic guidance may be necessary to ensure that taxpayer money is directed toward genuinely additional support where it is most needed.

📌 Reference Map:

^[1] (Express) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 4, Paragraph 6
^[2] (Local Government Association) - Paragraph 2, Paragraph 7
^[3] (Motability News) - Paragraph 5
^[6] (Motability Scheme News) - Paragraph 3
^[4] (Motability Foundation Green Paper) - Paragraph 5
^[7] (Motability Foundation Document) - Paragraph 5

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2134328/strained-taxpayers-footing-bigger-bills - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/council-spending-send-home-school-transport-soars-new-lga-research - The Local Government Association (LGA) reports that council spending on home-to-school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is projected to reach nearly £2 billion in 2025/26, marking a 200% increase since 2015/16. The average cost per child is approximately £8,900 annually, with nine in ten councils anticipating further spending increases. Factors contributing to this rise include a 40% increase in SEND students requiring transport and longer travel distances due to limited local special school placements.
https://news.motability.co.uk/scheme-news/weve-extended-the-new-vehicle-payment-to-2024-for-new-customers/ - The Motability Scheme announced an extension of the £750 New Vehicle Payment for new customers until 3 January 2025. This one-off payment assists in acquiring a brand-new vehicle through the scheme. Existing customers renewing their lease are also eligible for this payment, which can be used to offset the Advance Payment of a new vehicle or paid directly to the customer after vehicle handover.
https://www.motabilityfoundation.org.uk/media/0xlhdbx3/motability-foundation-pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper-30_06_25.pdf - The Motability Foundation's 'Pathways to Work' green paper discusses reforms to benefits and support systems aimed at enhancing employment opportunities for disabled individuals. It highlights the importance of accessible transport solutions, including the Motability Scheme, in facilitating employment and social engagement for disabled people. The paper also outlines proposed changes to the scheme to better meet the needs of its users.
https://www.mo.co.uk/media/rgbmjiru/motability-operation-digital-brochure-10-june-2025.pdf - The Motability Operations digital brochure provides comprehensive information about the Motability Scheme, detailing eligibility criteria, vehicle options, and the benefits included in the leasing package. It emphasizes the scheme's role in offering affordable and suitable personal transport solutions for disabled individuals, addressing the challenges posed by limited public transport options and the high costs of private vehicle ownership.
https://news.mo.co.uk/news/motability-scheme-continues-to-offer-value-as-motoring-costs-climb - Despite rising motoring costs, the Motability Scheme continues to offer value to its customers. The scheme's all-inclusive lease package, which includes insurance, servicing, and maintenance, remains at least 45% more affordable than comparable market options. This fixed-cost package shields customers from inflation and other market pressures, ensuring continued affordability for disabled individuals seeking personal transport solutions.
https://www.motabilityfoundation.org.uk/media/mekjht2y/motability-foundation-motability-operations-and-the-motability-scheme-040625.pdf - This document outlines the relationship between the Motability Foundation, Motability Operations, and the Motability Scheme. It details the governance structure, funding mechanisms, and the scheme's commitment to providing affordable and accessible transport solutions for disabled individuals. The document also discusses the challenges faced by the scheme, including market volatility and the need for sustainable funding to maintain its services.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative references a Local Government Association (LGA) report from July 2025, indicating recent data. However, the Express article was published on 16 November 2025, suggesting a potential delay in reporting. The LGA's findings have been covered by other reputable outlets, such as the BBC and The Guardian, within the past week, indicating that the information is not entirely new. The Express article may have recycled content from these sources. Additionally, the article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([local.gov.uk](https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/council-spending-send-home-school-transport-soars-new-lga-research?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The article includes direct quotes from education minister Georgia Gould and shadow communities minister David Simmonds. These quotes appear to be original, as no exact matches were found in earlier material. However, similar statements from these individuals have been reported in other reputable outlets, suggesting that the quotes may not be exclusive.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from the Express, a tabloid newspaper known for sensationalist reporting. While it is a widely read publication, its reputation for accuracy is often questioned. The LGA's report is a reputable source, but the Express's interpretation and presentation of the data may be biased.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims about rising costs in SEND transport align with findings from the LGA's report and other reputable sources. The article's tone is consistent with typical reporting on public sector inefficiencies. However, the Express's sensationalist language and lack of in-depth analysis may exaggerate the severity of the issue.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents information that is not entirely new, with similar content appearing in reputable outlets within the past week. While the quotes may be original, they are not exclusive, and the source's reliability is questionable due to the Express's reputation for sensationalism. The plausibility of the claims is supported by reputable sources, but the Express's presentation may exaggerate the issue.

SEND
public expenditure
Motability scheme