Since my election to Parliament, I have taken a personal interest in issues relating to special educational needs and disability. I having nothing but admiration for the excellent work carried out in the Schools in my constituency and by groups representing the disabled in the community. I have spoken on a number of occasions in the House of Commons about the need to increase the level of funding for support services in this important sector. It is unacceptable that young children with special needs have to wait for lengthy periods, sometimes years, to get the help they need in terms of therapy support including physiotherapy and speech and language therapy. There is also a lack of respite facilities for carers and this needs to be addressed by government.