Spending Review 2025: Adam Dance MP says Chancellor has “let down Somerset”

Responding to the Spending Review today (Wednesday 11 June), Adam Dance, Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil, has criticised the Government for neglecting key local priorities including support for children with special educational needs, family farming, and overstretched NHS services.

Since being elected in July 2024, Adam has campaigned for improved provision for students with dyslexia and other neurodiverse conditions. He has called for a national rollout of universal screening in primary schools and better teacher training to ensure children are supported from the start. Earlier this year, Adam joined forces with chef and campaigner Jamie Oliver to demand greater investment in education and early intervention.

Today, Adam expressed his deep disappointment that the Chancellor made no mention of SEND, despite the crisis facing schools and local authorities across the country.

“The fact that the Chancellor failed to even acknowledge SEND provision is bitterly disappointing,” said Adam. “In Somerset, our schools are struggling, families are being left to fight for support, and councils simply don’t have the resources to meet demand. This was a chance to show leadership – instead, it was another missed opportunity.”

Adam also condemned the lack of support for farmers, warning that cuts to the DEFRA budget and the absence of any commitment to protect nature-friendly farming schemes would hit Somerset’s rural economy hard.

“This Spending Review was a crucial opportunity to back rural communities, but instead farmers are being left to carry the burden of budget cuts,” he said. “The Government must reverse its damaging approach and properly support the people who feed the country and care for our countryside.”

Adam used his voice in Parliament to directly question the Chancellor following her statement, saying:

“I heard little about Somerset.
Somerset is facing huge pressures around GP practices, affordable homes, SEND provision, reliable bus services, and access to affordable energy.
Can the Chancellor promise my constituents that Yeovil will not be overlooked?
And does she believe the decisions announced today leave Somerset Council and Government departments with enough to properly invest in communities in Yeovil?”

In response, the Chancellor pointed to national announcements such as NHS investment, stronger border controls and free school meals, suggesting these would benefit Somerset. However, Adam has made clear he does not believe the measures announced go nearly far enough.

“Our local NHS is stretched to its limits, maternity services are under threat, SEND support is in crisis, and our bus routes remain unreliable,” Adam said. “It’s all well and good to talk about national announcements, but if that money doesn’t reach Somerset, it means very little to the communities I represent.”

He added: “It is undeniable that the previous Conservative government left our economy in tatters. But this Government is failing to deliver the change that people here in South Somerset are desperately crying out for – and today was yet more evidence of that. The Chancellor had the chance to turn things around, but chose not to.”

“Alongside my Liberal Democrat colleagues, I will continue to campaign for a fairer deal for our children, our farmers, and our local NHS here in South Somerset.”