Sir Keir Starmer is bracing for a fresh backbench rebellion over special needs children after the Education Secretary failed to confirm whether vulnerable pupils would have the legal right to support in schools.
On Sunday, Bridget Phillipson said that Labour was committed to reforming help for children with learning difficulties or disabilities.
But she refused to guarantee that parents would retain the right to ensure their children receive bespoke support for their needs.
Now, a series of senior Labour MPs have lined up to take pot-shots at the Cabinet - with dozens ready to rebel in what one has dubbed "welfare mark two".
Sir Keir Starmer is bracing for a fresh backbench rebellion over special needs children
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"The Government has got to think again now or they'll be repeating the same mistake they made with welfare reform," one senior Labour MP told The Times.
"We're all in favour of reforming the system but that cannot be driven by saving money and taking support away from children."
Another jabbed: "If they thought taking money away from disabled adults was bad, watch what happens when they try the same with disabled kids."
Phillipson is preparing a major overhaul of England's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (Send) system, with reforms set to be unveiled this autumn.
Her proposals would shift resources towards "early intervention" and enhanced support within mainstream schools, moving away from reliance on more costly specialist school placements.
Ministers insist the changes aim to fix what they describe as a "failed" system and improve outcomes for all children with special needs, rather than cutting costs.
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Phillipson is preparing a major overhaul of England's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities system
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The Government has allocated £750million for specialist facilities in mainstream schools and over £1billion for high-needs pupils.
But now, Labour is contemplating scaling back education health and care plans (EHCPs), which legally oblige councils to provide special support.
Government data reveals that 639,000 children in England held EHCPs by January, marking an 11 per cent rise from the previous year.
The high special needs budget will reach £12billion in 2025-26, up from £8billion in 2021-22.
LATEST EDUCATION UPDATES FROM GB NEWS:
Downing Street later said it was 'totally inaccurate' to suggest that Send children's parents would lose funding
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Later on Monday, Downing Street said it was "totally inaccurate" to suggest that Send children's parents would lose funding.
"We will work with them to deliver the improvement they are crying out for. This not about cost-cutting. There is consensus across the board that the system needs reform," the Prime Minister's official spokesman said.
No10 added: "We inherited a Send system which has failed parents and children.
"Our priority is making sure all children of all abilities get the chance to thrive at school... We are not yet at a stage where we can put forward proposals."
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