Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the cost of school transport for students outside London is affordable and does not place a disproportionate financial burden on families; and whether her Department plans to review school transport policy to address disparities in access and cost between London and other areas.

The government is committed to creating opportunities for all children so that they can achieve and thrive. The department’s home-to-school travel policy aims to make sure that no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport. Local authorities are responsible for arranging free home-to-school travel for eligible children. A child is eligible if they are of compulsory school age, 5 to 16, attend their nearest school and would not be able to walk there because of the distance, their special educational needs, disability or mobility problem, or the safety of the route. There are extended rights to free travel for children from low-income families. The department does not currently have any plans to change the existing statutory framework.

Public transport has an important role to play too. The Bus Services Act 2025 puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England. This will enable them to ensure local bus services meet the needs of local communities, including supporting access to education.