| answer text |
<p>The Department’s home-to-school transport policy aims to ensure that no child is
unable to access education because of a lack of transport. Local authorities must
provide free home-to-school transport for children of compulsory school age who attend
their nearest school and cannot walk there due to distance, route safety, or as a
result of special educational needs, disability or mobility problems. There are additional
rights to free transport for low-income families aimed at helping them exercise school
choice. These are known as extended rights. Guidance for local authorities on home-to-school
transport is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-to-school-travel-and-transport-guidance"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-to-school-travel-and-transport-guidance</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>Local authorities must also publish a transport policy statement each year
that sets out the travel arrangements they consider it necessary to make to support
young people of sixth form age to attend post-16 education or training. It is for
local authorities to decide on the exact level of post-16 transport support in their
area, based on local circumstances and priorities. Some young people may be eligible
for support from the 16-19 Bursary Fund. Further information can be accessed here:
<a href="https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>Most central government funding for home to school transport is provided through
the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) administered by the Department for
Levelling up, Housing and Communities. The LGFS made £54.1 billion available to local
authorities in the financial year 2022/23, an increase of up to £3.7 billion on 2021/22.
This is the largest cash-terms increase in grant funding provided through the settlement
in the past 10 years. The Department also provides grant funding to local authorities
as a contribution towards the cost of extended rights transport. This amount is £43.3
million in the 2022/23 financial year.</p>
|
|
