Ministers have promised to investigate the huge increase in pupils with special education needs after London authorities revealed a 50 per cent rise in the number of children needing help at school during the past three years.
The rise was highlighted in figures collected by the Association of London Chief Education Officers.
Education minister Lord Henley told a delegation from the Association of London Government that it might be time to review guidance contained in Circular 1190 on staffing levels for pupils with SEN.