Special Educational Needs: support in England
An overview of the current system of support for children and young people with special educational needs, and pressure on the system. Updated with new 2024-25 SEND incidence and EHC plan data

Since 1986 block grant funding for university researrch has been selectively distributed to institutions using data obtained in some form of research assessment process. Results of the most recent process - the Research Excellence Framework (REF) were announced in December 2014. This note discusses the REF and issues around it.
2014 Research Excellence Framework (368 KB , PDF)
Research in higher education institutions is publicly funded through what is known as the dual support system; under this system money for specific research projects comes from the Research Councils and funding for research infrastructure comes from the regional funding councils in the form of a block grant. Since 1986 block grant funding has been selectively distributed to institutions using data obtained in some form of research assessment process. The most recent design of the process is the Research Excellence Framework (REF). The REF took several years to develop and the first submissions were made in January 2013. The results of the REF 2014 were announced in December 2014 and consequent funding allocations will be disclosed in March 2015. This note discusses the development of the REF, the results announced in December 2014 and issues around the REF and research funding
2014 Research Excellence Framework (368 KB , PDF)
An overview of the current system of support for children and young people with special educational needs, and pressure on the system. Updated with new 2024-25 SEND incidence and EHC plan data
The government met its 2030 international student recruitment target of 600,000 ten years early and numbers have continued to increase since 2020. This briefing looks at student numbers, government policy, and the economic impact of international students.
Average loan debt and the overall scale of loans have increased over time as the Government has shifted funding for maintenance and teaching to loans. This has led to concerns about the burden of debt, high interest rates and the cost of loans to the taxpayer.