Author: Oliver Lee

Despite rising demand, urgent calls from families, and overwhelming evidence of a broken SEND system, the 2025 Spring Budget offered no new funding or practical support for children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

This silence speaks volumes. Thousands of families across the UK are desperately trying to get the right education and care in place for their neurodivergent children, yet the government has failed to act.

❌ What Was Missing?

• No new EHCP funding despite record waiting times and tribunal backlogs.
• No additional support for Local Authorities to deliver plans that are already in place.
• No action on special school capacity, despite many being oversubscribed and turning children away.
• No clarity on SEND reform proposals still stuck in consultation and pilot phases.

Instead, the focus turned to welfare and working families.

⚠️ Carers Could Be Asked to Work More

Hidden in the detail of the Budget were proposals that could place more pressure on unpaid carers, especially parents of disabled children who currently receive Universal Credit. The Chancellor reaffirmed plans to:

• Increase expectations for claimants to prove they are actively preparing for work.
• Review Limited Capability for Work rules, which could affect carers and parents of children with high needs.
• Link benefits more closely to conditionality, even for those with caring responsibilities.

For many parents, the idea of working full-time is simply not realistic. Caring for a child with autism, ADHD, PDA or complex SEND is already a full-time job.

🤝 How AskEllie Can Help

At AskEllie, we believe every family deserves support, clarity, and strength in numbers. If you’re:

• Struggling to get an EHCP or facing delays
• Being pressured to send your child into an unsuitable school
• Worried about benefit changes and what they mean for you

Ellie can help you with:

• ✉️ Drafting letters to schools, local authorities, or DWP
• ⏰ Understanding legal deadlines and your rights
• 💰 Benefit guidance (DLA, PIP, UC) and what to do if you’re being asked to work more hours
• 📃 Templates to respond to tribunals, reviews or complaints

🚨 Your Voice Matters More Than Ever

We’re collecting real stories from parents and carers to take to Parliament. If you’re struggling or have been let down by the system, share your experience here:

🔗 Submit Your Story

Change won’t come from the top. It will come from all of us, together.

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📢 If you’re worried about how the Budget affects your family, visit www.askellie.co.uk and get free support, advice, and solidarity.

You’re not alone. And you shouldn’t have to figure this out on your own.

— The AskEllie Team

Today, the Chancellor delivered the 2025 Spring Budget—and while many headlines will focus on tax cuts and economic forecasts, we know what families with disabled children are really asking:

“What does this mean for us?”

Here’s what we’ve learned so far—and how it could affect people claiming PIP, Universal Credit, and other DWP benefits.

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💷 What’s Changing in the Budget?

While we’re still reviewing the full details, several key announcements directly impact disabled people and carers:

1. Disability Benefits Are Under Reform

The government confirmed that it will press ahead with major welfare reforms—including how Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is assessed.

• They claim the number of people claiming PIP is “unsustainable,” particularly among young people with mental health conditions.
• A new consultation has been launched on tightening eligibility and changing how support is delivered—potentially replacing cash payments with service-based support.
• There are concerns this could disproportionately affect families with children who are autistic, have PDA, ADHD, or mental health needs.

⚠️ If you or your child are currently claiming PIP, your support will not stop immediately, but future eligibility could become harder.

2. Universal Credit Changes

While no major new cuts were announced, the Budget reaffirms policies already in motion:

• More people will be asked to increase work hours under Universal Credit, including those who previously had limited capability due to caring or health needs.
• Some carers and single parents may face more pressure to work, even while supporting disabled children.

Many families are already under enormous strain trying to balance care with impossible work demands. These changes may worsen that pressure.

3. No New Support for EHCP Families

Despite growing calls for reform of the SEND crisis, there was no mention of new funding for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) or specialist school placements—leaving many families concerned that the support their children need will remain out of reach.

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😔 What Families Are Saying

We’ve been flooded with messages from parents this week. Here are just a few of the most common fears:

• “Will my child lose their PIP?”
• “If I can’t work because I care full-time, what happens when UC pressures me to?”
• “Why are we always the ones left behind?”

If you’re feeling confused or worried—you are not alone.

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🛡 What You Can Do Right Now

✅ Start gathering evidence: If you’re on PIP or planning to apply, now is the time to keep records, collect letters from schools, doctors, and therapists, and document the impact of your child’s condition.

✅ Talk to AskEllie: Our free tool gives you instant help on your legal rights, how to apply for benefits, and what to do if support is denied. We’re built by parents, for parents—visit: www.askellie.co.uk

✅ Share your story: We’re collecting real-life experiences to take to Parliament and make sure families like yours are heard. Add your voice to the growing movement:
👉 Submit Your Story Here

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📣 Final Thoughts

This Budget shows that the fight is far from over. While politicians talk about numbers, we know this is about real families—already at breaking point—being asked to give even more.

We will keep fighting to make sure your voices are heard.

We’ll be updating this post as more details emerge, including how to respond to the government’s new PIP consultation.

🧡 Stay strong. Stay loud. And know you’re not alone.

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✍️ Written by the AskEllie Team – Parents. Advocates. Fighters.