Former health secretary Sir Jeremy Hunt has backed controversial claims that young people are being "overdiagnosed" with mental health conditions, as he endorsed calls for radical reform of the special educational needs and disabilities (Send) system. The Conservative MP for Godalming and Ash argued that society has "lost sight of the fundamental reality that child development is a messy and uneven process".
Hunt wrote the foreword for a Policy Exchange report titled "Out of Control", which argues that definitions of mental ill health and neurodivergence have been socially expanded, overwhelming support systems. The report calls for a complete reinvention of education, health and care plans (EHCPs) to ensure children with the most severe needs receive support faster.
System under unprecedented pressure
One in five children in England now have special educational needs and disabilities, placing enormous strain on support services. Since 2015, Send spending has increased by £4.5 billion, with requests for support rising annually.
The latest figures show 638,745 EHCPs were in place in January 2025, representing a 10.8% increase from the same point last year. According to Daily Mail and GB News reports, the total annual cost across welfare systems, mental health and Send support has reached £16 billion.
Radical reform proposals
The Policy Exchange report recommends limiting EHCPs to students in special schools only, rather than mainstream education settings. It also proposes that mental health support should be targeted at those "that most need it, rather than blanket offers".
Hunt argued that the current approach risks undermining resilience in young people. He said: "Our laudable desire to ensure young people are happy and well-supported is at times manifesting in excessive impulses to medicalise and diagnose the routine, in a manner that can undercut grit and resilience."
Benefits system overhaul suggested
The report advocates doubling the time period someone must have a condition to be eligible for Personal Independence Payment, from nine to 18 months. It also calls for replacing the Children and Families Act 2014 and Send Code of Practice with a completely new statutory regime.
Co-author Jean-Andre Prager said: "Child Disability Living Allowance is from a bygone era, and our understanding of disability has fundamentally changed in the intervening more than 30 years. We need to reconsider the assessment and eligibility criteria of this benefit."
Disability advocates push back
However, disability rights advocates have challenged Hunt's overdiagnosis claims, according to The Guardian. Critics argue that the proposals could deny essential support to vulnerable children who genuinely need assistance with their educational and developmental needs.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson (Labour) has previously stated there will "always be a legal right to the additional support that children with Send need". The Government is expected to publish a white paper detailing Send reform plans this autumn.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Daily Mail", "The Independent", "Evening Standard", "The Guardian", "The i", "GB News"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
