§ 7. Charlotte Atkins (Staffordshire, Moorlands)If she will make a statement on her Department's policies regarding travel to school. [64402]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Skills (Mr. Stephen Twigg)Compulsory school age pupils are entitled to free transport if their nearest suitable school is beyond statutory walking distance from their home. In other circumstances, local education authorities have the discretion to provide help with travel in accordance with locally determined policies.
For post-16 students, there is a duty on LEAs to determine what is necessary to meet their local circumstances.
§ Charlotte AtkinsDoes my hon. Friend share my concern that the policy of charging over-16 students to use school buses that were free before they were 16, first, appears to be a tax on rural school students; secondly, encourages congestion around schools because parents or, indeed, pupils themselves drive to school; and, thirdly, runs counter to the Government's excellent education maintenance allowance initiative, which encourages 16-year-olds to stay in education after school leaving age?
§ Mr. TwiggI am well aware of the concern that my hon. Friend and others have expressed about this matter, which is being considered because the practice is inconsistent across the country. Further education colleges have the discretion to use their learner support funds to pay the student contribution—some FE colleges in Staffordshire do so, while others do not, and that is one of the inconsistent practices that we need to address.
Pathfinder projects are addressing the issue, and will report later this year. As my hon. Friend suggests, we are piloting some EMA schemes aimed specifically at funding the higher transport costs in rural areas. We will take on board the lessons that can be learned from the pilots as part of the wider evaluation of the education maintenance allowances.
§ Mr. Hugo Swire (East Devon)Does the Minister take on board the problems of rural sparsity? Will he review the problems with Devon's education finances that arise from the county's huge school transport costs? What will his Department do about that as a matter of urgency?
§ Mr. TwiggI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. Of course that is one of the factors that we are considering 384 in reviewing the whole local government funding system, including education funding. The hon. Gentleman refers to Devon; another Member mentioned Yorkshire—[Interruption.] Members representing all the different authorities are shouting. We want to get the best possible system that meets the different needs of rural areas, as well as urban areas. We must ensure that we do not allow school transport policies to act as a barrier to the inclusion of those who want to stay in education after the age of 16.
§ Mr. Kevan Jones (North Durham)May I raise with my hon. Friend the case of Mrs. Stoker and Mrs. Scott-Davey, whose children, Katie and Jonathon, attend St. Leonard's Catholic school in Durham? The children are non-Catholic, so they are not automatically entitled to free transport, unlike their Catholic neighbours. Does he agree that to discriminate against children on the grounds of religion in that way is wrong? Will he look at that case?
§ Mr. TwiggI am certainly happy to have a look at the case. I imagine that, as non-Catholic parents, they would have had the option of another, nearer school. That is how the rules work at the moment, but I am happy to take another look at that.