Rename ‘home-to-school transport’ to tackle spiralling costs, MPs told

The Guardian - World NewsEN 3 min read 100% complete by Sally Weale Education correspondentDecember 8, 2025 at 09:59 PM

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A UK parliamentary committee heard testimony on rising home-to-school transport costs, which have reached £2.3 billion annually. Local authority figures suggested renaming the service "assisted travel to school" to better manage parental expectations, as the current term implies a door-to-door service. They emphasized that councils are committed to helping eligible children get to school, but this doesn't necessarily mean individual taxis. Witnesses noted a possible "legacy of Covid" contributing to single-occupancy transport. The committee is scrutinizing the issue due to increasing numbers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) requiring transport, often over longer distances, with SEND transport accounting for a disproportionate amount of the overall cost.

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Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport 70% National Audit Office ×280%

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home-to-school transport 100% assisted travel to school 90% special educational needs 70% local authorities 70% send 70% transport costs 60% public accounts committee 50% school transport 50% bus services 40%

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The Guardian - World News

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home-to-school transport assisted travel to school special educational needs local authorities send transport costs public accounts committee school transport bus services

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