Congleton's MP has asked the Justice Secretary what he will do to cut down waiting times for SEND tribunals.

Sarah Russell posed the question to Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy during a Justice Select Committee in Westminster on Tuesday, December 16.

It comes as many young people with special educational needs are left waiting over a year for a tribunal in order to get an agreed Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

She said: "25,000 cases were registered last year, but only 20,000 were disposed of.

"The cases in question are obviously children who have education, health, and care plans. These have typically taken a long time to come forward in the first place.

"Children are waiting long periods of time for diagnosis. They're then waiting long periods of time for an agreed EHCP.

"And then if they're not agreed, they're then waiting upwards of a year now for a tribunal date for these children who are exceptionally vulnerable and often out of education.

"Given that 99% of those appeals are successful, what do you propose for that system?"

In response, Mr Lammy said: "You will know, Mrs Russell, that the Secretary of State for Education is coming forward next year with further proposals in relation to SEND young people.

"And so, we're working in lockstep with her and in relation to that I am pleased that the department has got itself into a place where it does require other departments where they are making changes to have a justice impact assessment and that therefore our tribunals are properly compensated to deal with any extra work that flows as a result with that.

"So, we're in good discussion with the Department of Education and as those proposals come forward, we'll be able to see the impact."