What the government’s Spending Review means for families: News

Earlier today, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, shared the Government’s plans for public spending over the next few years. There’s some positive news that could help families raising disabled or seriously ill children from free school meals to more childcare and energy bill support.

Support at school

• Free breakfast clubs: 750 schools in England will now receive funding to run breakfast clubs, helping over 180,000 children including 70,000 in the most disadvantaged areas.
• Expanded free school meals: By 2029, all children whose parents receive Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals helping lift around 100,000 children out of poverty.
• Cheaper school uniforms: New rules will limit the number of branded items schools can ask for saving families up to £50 per child each year.

Support with childcare and parenting

• More childcare support: The government will continue expanding free childcare for working parents, with extra investment in nurseries based in schools.
• Continued investment in Family Hubs: These services help families with young children get advice, support and community connections.

Getting around and staying warm

• £3 bus fare cap extended: The price cap will stay in place until March 2027 helping families manage travel costs.
• Help with energy bills: Through the new Warm Homes Plan, families could save up to £600 a year by making homes more energy efficient and sustainable.

Homes, local services and social care

• More affordable housing: Investment will increase in affordable homes and social housing across the UK.
• Extra funding for councils: Local authorities will receive more money for children’s and adult social care – but how this will be used locally is still to be confirmed.

Health and mental health support

• More mental health support in schools: By 2030, every school in England is expected to have a dedicated mental health support team.

Other related support

• More support to get into work: £400 million a year will be invested by 2028-29 (rising to £1 billion) to help disabled people and those with health conditions find and stay in work.
• SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) system reform: Over £760 million has been promised between 2026 and 2028 to help improve support for children with SEND.
• New Crisis and Resilience Fund: This fund will offer emergency help and preventative support to households, replacing the previous Household Support Fund.

These are welcome commitments but families need to see improvements now, not just in the future.

What we’re watching

Some proposed changes to disability benefits are concerning. There’s talk of reforming:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Carer’s Allowance
• Universal Credit

This could affect the vital financial support that families rely on.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on these changes and speaking up on behalf of families.

What happens next?

Many of the Government’s announcements are still short on detail.

Over the coming months, we’ll be focusing on:

• The UK’s Child Poverty Strategy.
• A new Schools White Paper this autumn, with plans for SEND reform in England.
• Changes to benefits and employment support.

We’ll keep listening to the families we support and making sure their experiences shape these important decisions.