Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill (Hansard, 7 November 2000)

§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)

The Government are committed to securing comprehensive civil rights for disabled people. That commitment will be underpinned by a significant investment over the next three years until 2003–04. Over the period 2001–02 to 2003–04 the Government will be investing £220 million through the schools access initiative in England to help improve the accessibility of the school building stock. The spending will be £50 million in 2001–02, rising to £70 million in 2002–03 and £100 million in 2003–04. In addition, over the period 2002–03 to 2003–04, £172 million will be made available to the post-16 sector (further education, higher education, adult education and the Youth Service) to improve accessibility for disabled students and adult learners in England. Provision in Wales and Scotland is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Executive respectively.

I can confirm that the Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill will be introduced in Parliament early in the next Session, although it has not proved possible to publish a draft Bill this Session.

The new legislation will be a significant step forward for disabled pupils, students and adult learners alike.