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Disabled students cuts claim Disabled students cuts claim
(about 15 hours later)
The Liberal Democrats have claimed £10.5m in education cuts will affect Wales's "most vulnerable" students. The Liberal Democrats have claimed £10.5m in education cuts will affect Wales' "most vulnerable" students.
Welsh party leader Kirsty Williams claims to have identified government cuts to funding for students with disabilities and extra learning needs.Welsh party leader Kirsty Williams claims to have identified government cuts to funding for students with disabilities and extra learning needs.
Ms Williams also fears a funding cut for post-16 disabled students.Ms Williams also fears a funding cut for post-16 disabled students.
The assembly government said funding for post-16 special needs education had more than doubled since 2003 but this rate of increase "was not sustainable".The assembly government said funding for post-16 special needs education had more than doubled since 2003 but this rate of increase "was not sustainable".
She said: "These are our most vulnerable students...often with profound learning needs and profound physical as well as learning disabilities.She said: "These are our most vulnerable students...often with profound learning needs and profound physical as well as learning disabilities.
"The government...is now turning around and saying, 'This is no longer a priority for us'"."The government...is now turning around and saying, 'This is no longer a priority for us'".
Ms Williams says the assembly government will now only fund 70% of claims to the learning for learning difficulties and/or disabilities supplementary fund, when it had previously met such claims in full.Ms Williams says the assembly government will now only fund 70% of claims to the learning for learning difficulties and/or disabilities supplementary fund, when it had previously met such claims in full.
She said the money is paid retrospectively but that in December colleges were told that they would not receive money for claims made earlier in the academic year.She said the money is paid retrospectively but that in December colleges were told that they would not receive money for claims made earlier in the academic year.
There is no doubt that the size of the reduction proposed will put the individual schools and central special needs service under huge pressure Councillor Michael Jones, Powys CouncilThere is no doubt that the size of the reduction proposed will put the individual schools and central special needs service under huge pressure Councillor Michael Jones, Powys Council
Ms Williams said: "Colleges and schools have already spent this money but are now being told that they will not receive the cash they expected from the government.Ms Williams said: "Colleges and schools have already spent this money but are now being told that they will not receive the cash they expected from the government.
"The Welsh government has not made clear how colleges should deal with this unexpected funding cut."The Welsh government has not made clear how colleges should deal with this unexpected funding cut.
"If the college has four learning support assistants, how do they decide which to let go? If a student's support is no longer being funded, should they leave their course?""If the college has four learning support assistants, how do they decide which to let go? If a student's support is no longer being funded, should they leave their course?"
The Liberal Democrats claim the losses will total around £2m on top of the 5% cuts that Welsh further education (FE) colleges have already undergone.The Liberal Democrats claim the losses will total around £2m on top of the 5% cuts that Welsh further education (FE) colleges have already undergone.
Ms Williams also claims assembly government funding for disabled children who stay in special schools after the age of 16 will be cut by around £8.5m across Wales.Ms Williams also claims assembly government funding for disabled children who stay in special schools after the age of 16 will be cut by around £8.5m across Wales.
The Liberal Democrats say students who stay in special schools after the age of 16 have had their education fully funded by the Welsh government but that it has indicated it will fund 95% of the cost this year and 69% the next.The Liberal Democrats say students who stay in special schools after the age of 16 have had their education fully funded by the Welsh government but that it has indicated it will fund 95% of the cost this year and 69% the next.
Powys Council also criticised the lateness of the funding decision, which it said left it very little room for manoeuvre.Powys Council also criticised the lateness of the funding decision, which it said left it very little room for manoeuvre.
It stands to lose more than £79,000 in the current financial year and a further £518,000 in 2010-11.It stands to lose more than £79,000 in the current financial year and a further £518,000 in 2010-11.
Council board chairman Councillor Michael Jones said the decision was "difficult to understand" and would hit its three special schools and out of county provision.Council board chairman Councillor Michael Jones said the decision was "difficult to understand" and would hit its three special schools and out of county provision.
"There is no doubt that the size of the reduction proposed will put the individual schools and central special needs service under huge pressure with severe cuts in staffing and provision being the only avenue to balance the budget," he said."There is no doubt that the size of the reduction proposed will put the individual schools and central special needs service under huge pressure with severe cuts in staffing and provision being the only avenue to balance the budget," he said.
A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: "We fully appreciate the financial constraints faced by both local authorities and colleges in meeting the needs of young people with special needs.A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: "We fully appreciate the financial constraints faced by both local authorities and colleges in meeting the needs of young people with special needs.
"The amount of funding allocated to local authorities for post-16 special educational needs (SEN) provision has more than doubled since 2003."The amount of funding allocated to local authorities for post-16 special educational needs (SEN) provision has more than doubled since 2003.
"This rate of increase, however, is not sustainable and we are presently investigating, with the help of authorities and the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), alternative means of allocating funding received by authorities for their post-16 special school provision.""This rate of increase, however, is not sustainable and we are presently investigating, with the help of authorities and the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), alternative means of allocating funding received by authorities for their post-16 special school provision."
The spokesperson said initial allocations had been made to local authorities for SEN post-16 provision in 2010-11.The spokesperson said initial allocations had been made to local authorities for SEN post-16 provision in 2010-11.
She said these allocations are based on initial funding estimates provided by local authorities, and on the budget for this provision set by the assembly in 2009.She said these allocations are based on initial funding estimates provided by local authorities, and on the budget for this provision set by the assembly in 2009.
She added: "If, at the end of the financial year, uncommitted resources are identified elsewhere in the department, all funding pressures, including these on SEN in sixth forms and colleges, will be given due consideration."She added: "If, at the end of the financial year, uncommitted resources are identified elsewhere in the department, all funding pressures, including these on SEN in sixth forms and colleges, will be given due consideration."