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Written question asked by Nick Timothy (Conservative) on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 July 2026. It was answered by Sarah Sackman (Labour) on Friday, 10 July 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Special Educational Needs: Appeals

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the number of licensed work certificates opened for special educational needs and disability appeals in the First-tier Tribunal (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber) was in each financial year from 2021-22 to the most recent financial year for which data is held.

Answer

Legal aid expenditure on special educational needs and disability appeals is set out in the table below. Please note that in addition to appeals before First-tier Tribunal (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber) the table may also include legal aid for appeals before the Education Tribunal for Wales.

Financial Year

Special educational needs and disability appeals expenditure

2021-22

£750,133

2022-23

£734,915

2023-24

£1,143,685

2024-25

£1,557,130

2025-26

£1,370,784

Information about the number of Licensed Work certificates granted in respect of special educational needs and disability appeals in the First-tier Tribunal (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber) is not centrally held. Only advice and assistance under legal help is available for appeals which fall within the scope of civil legal aid, and this work is conducted under Controlled Work not Licensed Work. Licensed Work certificates for legal representation may be granted in respect of special educational needs and disability appeals funded under Exceptional Case Funding.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
15049
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Appeals Tribunals Special educational needs First-tier Tribunal
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk