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Written question asked by Lord Pickles (Conservative) on Monday, 20 July 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 August 2026. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 3 August 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.


Special Educational Needs

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government how many local authorities in England are currently failing to issue education, health and care plans within the statutory 20-week deadline.

Answer

The department publishes figures on the number of education, health and care (EHC) plans issued within the statutory timeframe of 20 weeks. The latest data covers EHC plans issued during the 2018 to 2025 calendar years and is available on GOV.UK.

The published information shows that, in 2025, there were 143 of 153 local authorities where less than 100% of new EHC plans were issued within 20 weeks of the date the request for an EHC needs assessment was received.

The attached table, created from the release, is also available on GOV.UK.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL2345
Session
2026-27
Attachment
Percentage of EHC plans issued within 20 weeks
Subjects
Special educational needs
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk