More than 11,400 people have signed a petition calling on the Welsh Government to spend the full consequential funding for additional learning needs (ALN) on schools and pupils in Wales.

The petition, submitted by Laura Tams, a casework support officer with headteachers' union NAHT Cymru, was debated by the Senedd on Wednesday 4 November. It calls for the funding Wales receives as a result of extra special educational needs spending in England to be allocated and ring-fenced for ALN.

£550m over three years

As a result of additional funding for ALN in England, Wales will receive an extra £550 million over three years, including £322 million in this financial year. Under the Barnett Formula, there is no requirement for the Welsh Government to spend that money in the same way it is spent in England — and the petition argues it should all go to ALN.

The Welsh Government's supplementary budget, passed this week, agreed to spend an additional £60 million on ALN this financial year, with £56 million going to local authorities and the vast majority passed directly to schools and education settings.

Union says £60m falls far short

School leaders' union NAHT Cymru said the £60 million falls significantly short. It calculates the package works out at roughly £130 per pupil, against almost £700 per pupil if the full £322 million had been spent on ALN. The union has asked the Auditor General to investigate where the £322 million went.

Petitions committee chair Jason O'Connell said the committee recognised the concern, but ring-fencing the funding would risk undermining devolution by restricting Welsh Government spending decisions. The committee can press the Welsh Government further or run a detailed inquiry.

Sources: - source2_name: Senedd Petitions (official) | source2_link: https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246986

[Source: South Wales Chronicle](https://southwaleschronicle.co.uk/blog/2026/11/07/senedd-recognises-petition-calling-for-full-consequential-funding-to-be-allocated-for-additional-learning-needs/) | [Source: Senedd Petitions (official)](https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246986)