Autumn Budget 2025: What’s Changing for Children in Schools

The Autumn Budget included several announcements that affect children’s education, wellbeing and life chances. While there were few headline-grabbing changes, the Budget gives a clearer picture of the government’s priorities, particularly around early years, support for children with additional needs, and tackling child poverty. Below, we break down what it means for children and schools.

1. Support for children with SEND

The Chancellor confirmed that long-awaited reforms to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) will be set out early next year in the Schools White Paper. This is a crucial issue for thousands of children and families who are currently struggling to access the right support.

One significant announcement is that from 2028–29, the government plans to take on responsibility for SEND funding. This would remove the pressure on local councils to cover rising SEND costs from their general budgets – a pressure that has contributed to serious financial difficulties in many areas.

Until then, a temporary measure allowing councils to keep SEND deficits off their balance sheets has been extended to 2027–28. While this helps prevent cuts to other services in the short term, big questions remain about how existing SEND debts will be dealt with and whether future funding will be enough to meet children’s needs.

The government has also allocated £740 million for councils to expand SEND provision in 2025–26. However, longer-term funding for new specialist places and buildings remains uncertain, and past investment levels have been higher than current plans.

2. Tackling child poverty and the cost of living

One of the most important announcements for children was the removal of the two-child benefit limit. This change is expected to lift around 450,000 children out of poverty and aligns with the government’s stated aim to reduce barriers to opportunity.

This sits alongside other welcome measures designed to reduce financial pressure on families and support children’s learning, including:

• A national roll-out of breakfast clubs, with 2,000 schools joining the scheme in 2026–27, helping ensure children start the day ready to learn.

• Extending free school meals to all pupils in England whose parents receive Universal Credit.

• New rules to limit the number of compulsory school uniform items, reducing costs for families.

  
  

Together, these steps should make a real difference to children’s wellbeing, attendance and ability to engage in school.

3. Investment in school buildings

Despite wider pressure on public finances, the government has protected capital spending on infrastructure. This includes continued investment in school buildings through the School Rebuilding Programme.

Around £20 billion is committed to rebuilding 500 schools already in the programme and adding a further 250 schools by 2035. This is important given the poor condition of many school buildings and ongoing safety concerns.

However, the increase is relatively modest compared with investment in other public sectors. Schools make up nearly half of the government’s total public estate, yet only a small additional proportion of schools will benefit from rebuilding. Making sure this funding is used effectively will be vital.

4. Reviews of public assets and value for money

The Chancellor announced several reviews to look at how public money and buildings are managed, including a review of government assets and a wider value-for-money review.

These reflect a growing push for more joined-up, long-term planning across public services. By 2027, all departments will be expected to have 10-year maintenance plans. While this could lead to better planning and fewer emergency repairs, it is not yet clear how this will work in practice for schools or who will be responsible for making improvements happen.

Further detail is expected in a forthcoming Department for Education (DfE) estate strategy.

5. Early years: giving children the best start

Early childhood continues to be a key focus. The Budget reaffirmed commitments in the “Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life” strategy, recognising how important the early years are for long-term outcomes.

Key investments include:

• £400 million for school-based nurseries, helping expand childcare and support early learning. New funding rounds are now open.

• £500 million for local authorities to create up to 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs by 2028, offering joined-up support for families and young children.

• A forthcoming review of childcare provision aimed at making the system simpler and easier for families to navigate.

  
  

These measures aim to improve early development and increase the number of children reaching expected learning goals by age five.

Other announcements affecting children and schools

• £5 million for secondary school libraries to buy new books as part of the National Year of Reading.

• Funding to refurbish up to 200 playgrounds in England.

• Limited detail on post-16 education and skills, despite ongoing challenges for young people.

• Housing and planning reforms that could increase demand for new school places.

• Ongoing uncertainty about how schools will be funded to meet climate targets after the cancellation of major decarbonisation schemes.

Conclusion

Overall, the Autumn Budget offers reassurance rather than major change for education. The focus on early years, child poverty and SEND reform is welcome, but many of the most important details are still to come.

For children to truly benefit, the commitments outlined in the Budget must be followed by clear plans, adequate funding and effective delivery. The upcoming Schools White Paper and DfE estate strategy will be critical in shaping whether schools are properly supported to provide safe buildings, inclusive education and the best possible start for every child.

As a charity working with and for children, we will be watching closely and continuing to speak up for the children and families who need these policies to work in practice, not just on paper.