# Make or break: The SEND reforms Keir Starmer must win

An episode of [Politics At Sam and Anne's](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1709628885), 23 Feb 2026, 20 min.

Audio: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/9d82870c-fed8-4968-b813-fb89e51bdf8f.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=e0c28668-b961-43cf-8d6c-6ba62ef8a7a3&aw_0_1st.episodeid=9d82870c-fed8-4968-b813-fb89e51bdf8f

A royal arrest and a new cabinet secretary welcome the Prime Minister back from recess week but with a crucial by-election and significant white paper on special educational needs, can the government get things back on track? Sam and Anne examine the details of SEND white paper in England, looking at the challenges facing the reforms and whether the system, and its costs, are spiralling out of control? Will the government learn from previous rebellions to get tricky legislation through, or will this be another example of trouble down the tracks? Elsewhere, is the newly appointed head of the civil service – Antonia Romeo – already under pressure over an alleged cover up? Plus, are certain government departments already talking about a potential reshuffle?

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