A Liberal Democrat MP in Somerset has criticised the government's spending review for overlooking key local priorities.
Adam Dance, MP for Yeovil, expressed disappointment over the lack of support for children with special educational needs, family farming, and the NHS.
Since being elected in July 2024, Mr Dance has advocated for better provision for students with dyslexia and other neurodiverse conditions.
However, Mr Dance was dismayed by the Chancellor's lack of mention of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the spending review on Wednesday, June 11.
Mr Dance said: "The fact that the chancellor failed to even acknowledge SEND provision is bitterly disappointing.
"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."
Mr Dance also criticised 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 impact Somerset’s rural economy.
Mr Dance said: "This spending review was a crucial opportunity to back rural communities, but instead farmers are being left to carry the burden of budget cuts.
"The government must reverse its damaging approach and properly support the people who feed the country and care for our countryside."
In Parliament, Mr Dance directly questioned the chancellor, asking for assurances that Yeovil would not be overlooked amid pressures around GP practices, affordable homes, SEND provision, reliable bus services, and access to affordable energy.
In response, the chancellor highlighted national announcements such as NHS investment, stronger border controls, and free school meals, suggesting these would benefit Somerset.
However, Mr Dance expressed scepticism about the impact of these measures.
He said: "Our local NHS is stretched to its limits, maternity services are under threat, SEND support is in crisis, and our bus routes remain unreliable.
"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."
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