I am absolutely appalled at the state of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) provision in Surrey. Every week, I hear more heartbreaking accounts from constituents who cannot find a school place for their child, and others who have been forced to wait as long as two years for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

I've engaged with Surrey County Council and the Government at every opportunity to push for better SEND provision in Surrey, from questions in Parliament to letters to ministers.

After years of Conservative neglect, the SEND system needs fundamental change. But change must be a step forwards not backwards.

For too long, a broken system has forced children and families to fight long battles to get the support they need.

Many parents are deeply worried that reforms will leave their children worse off, with an erosion of the rights that underpin the support they need.

The principles and priorities underpinning SEND reform should be:

1. Putting children and families first. 
2. Boosting specialist capacity and improving mainstream provision.
3. Supporting local government.
4. Early identification and shorter waiting lists.
5. Fair funding.

Families in Epsom & Ewell, and across Surrey have waited too long for a system that works. We need to get this right.

I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues are eager to work on a crossparty basis, to ensure that the forthcoming reforms deliver for children with SEND and for their families.