PARENTS battling to reverse Surrey County Council’s £21million cuts to special needs services say they are delighted by a victory for families in Bristol fighting a similar cause.

A High Court has ruled that Bristol City Council had been wrong to make £5million funding cuts in a landmark case.

Judge Barry Cotter QC said the council had acted “unlawfully” and there was no need for a reduction.

Lawyers representing five Surrey families, including the Hollow family from Farnham, say Surrey County Council did not undertake a consultation with families and have launched a judicial review into the cuts for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities services.

Welcoming the Bristol ruling, a spokesperson for the Surrey families, said: “We are encouraged by the Bristol parents’ victory today against Bristol City Council as it sets a precedent for us. We are pressing on with our judicial review case and hope to achieve the same result.

“We’re delighted for the Bristol parents. Families with the law on their side can and will hold local authorities to account.”

Chris Botten, leader of Surrey Lib Dems, added: “The verdict in Bristol sends a clear signal to local authorities across the country that their plans to cut SEND services can be successfully challenged. “I call upon Surrey County Council to make urgent preparations in anticipation of its own plan to reduce spending on SEND being quashed as a result of judicial review, and for parents affected to be supported.”

A Surrey County Council spokesman said: “We are defending this claim but as ever our main focus is making sure children get the support that they need.”