Prudhoe North councillor Angie Scott has written to Labour leader Keir Starmer to guarantee that his promise of ‘breaking down barriers to opportunity at every stage’ includes children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Councillor Scott said: “As a Labour county councillor in Northumberland representing Prudhoe North I have been an advocate for struggling parents of SEND children.

“I’ve been working hard to break down the barriers for those struggling with bureaucracy to get what is needed for their children to enable them to lead a better life. I know first-hand the issues and the devastating impact of being ignored has on the child and the family as I have an autistic child.”

Ms Scott is appealing for:

• Early diagnosis of learning difficulties and disabilities
• Long commutes to be a thing of the past
• Integration with mainstream education

She added: “SEND children, who have so much to offer to our society, are being failed by the unfair system and under investment within Northumberland and in most other places in this country.

“It will not be a quick fix and it will take many years to rectify the failings of recent years. I want to draw this to the Labour leader’s attention because it needs addressing now.”