Communication is key to the chances of Send reforms succeeding

Bridget Phillipson and her team are making sure MPs and the public grasp the need to overhaul the special educational needs system In her first week as a cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson held a meeting for new Labour MPs with one subject – special educational needs. Almost 100 MPs came to that first meeting. There were new MPs for whom the issue was personal to their own families – Jen Craft, Daniel Francis, Steve Race, as well as the then business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds. Dozens mor...

By Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor