The Government's being told to shift its priorities, to give kids the special education resources they deserve.

National's planning to cut special education funding for children over the age of seven, in order to put more money into greater support for younger children.

Labour's education spokesperson Chris Hipkins said if National was not holding money back for an election year tax cut, they could afford to do both.

"Taking funding away from the kids who are already at school is not going to work. It's basically going to leave even more kids disadvantaged."

Hipkins said both are needed, and the Government should be prepared to put more money into education.

"It's a question of priorities. Bill English wants to go into election year next year promising people tax cuts."

"He's going to need to explain why he thinks that's more important than properly supporting kids with the most severe and special needs."