By James Vincent & Steve Jones

Copyright bbc

Davey also criticised comments from Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, who said Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (Send) provision was being “hijacked by parents who are abusing the system”.

There has been a 44% increase in pupils in England needing support for special educational needs since 2016, placing cash-strapped local authorities under even more financial pressure.

“Reform has frankly insulted many families with children with special needs, and indeed people with mental health problems,” he said.

The government has said it will announce its plans for the future of Send provision in October.

“You need to put children and families at the heart of the reform,” said Davey, whose son has a neurological condition and learning difficulties.

“You need to expand the provision.”

Davey said too much money was being spent on legal fees for tribunals concerning special educational needs support, as parents challenge the support on offer for their children, as well as transporting children to privately run schools which were run for profit.