Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the statutory walking distance for entitlement to home to school transport under section 42(4) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.

The provision of school transport is the responsibility of local authorities in Scotland.

It is for Scottish Ministers and local authorities to consider the adequacy of the statutory walking distance and to determine the policy and operational aspects of home-to-school transport provision.

I note that the Scottish Government undertook a review of this policy and subsequent update of this matter in 2025.