§ 28. Ms DrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he has taken to improve support for pupils with special needs in South Swindon. [152578]
§ Jacqui SmithSwindon Local Education Authority has received in 2000–01 £807,309 from the DfEE's Standard Fund grants for special educational needs, inclusion and emotional and behavioural difficulties, social inclusion and access for post 16. Swindon LEA SEN budgets have increased in 2000–01 by £172,000 (3.46 per cent.) to £5,143,000 and special school delegated budgets by £376,000 (11.83 per cent.) to £3,584,000. £50 million is available nationally from the Schools Access Initiative for 2001–02 to support projects to make mainstream schools and the curriculum accessible to pupils in wheelchairs or with sensory impairments. Swindon LEA has been allocated £185,650 for community, foundation and voluntary controlled schools and £46,750 for voluntary aided schools.