Bradley has responded to the further cuts being made by the Reform administration on Worcestershire County Council.
The cuts to the SEND budget follow cuts Reform have made to highways and footways funding, the cancelling of a new school in the county and the slashing of investment in accessibility improvements at Bromsgrove and Alvechurch Railway Stations.
Bradley said:
“Whilst the previous Conservative County Council administration had committed to investing more than £30 million into special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision over the next three years, the new Reform administration is taking a sledgehammer to the budget and cutting £3 million. We’re all faced with choices and decisions to make, but this is a poor choice and a bad decision.
“Having met with parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities, I’m well aware of the improvements that need to be made to SEND provision here in Bromsgrove and across Worcestershire. The SEND system needs fixing, not cuts. To fix the system, I will happily work cross-party to improve outcomes and give these children the best start in life. My door is open should the new administration want to work together.
“More broadly we see no vision for Worcestershire from this Reform administration. They promised the world, yet all we’re seeing is cuts. Not only are they cutting SEND funding, but they’ve axed a new school for the county, cancelled investment in Bromsgrove and Alvechurch train stations and slashed highways and footways funding.
“Once again, I say I’m sure that residents did not vote for any of this back in May.
“And with reports of the County Council planning to hike Council Tax by a whopping a 10%, so far it feels like it’s all pain and no gain with this new administration.”
