More than 20 councils have been given ministerial approval to quietly slice £67 million from schools budget to prop up gaping SEND funding black holes.
For the first time in recent years, all councils that asked for approval were given the green light to move millions between the core schools and high needs funding pots.
Four years ago nine in 10 applications from councils were rejected.
If councils wish to move more than 0.5 per cent, or want to move 0.5 per cent or less without agreement from their schools forum, they must get approval from the Department for Education.
