Councils in England Call for Radical Means Testing of Send School Transport
Campaigners have argued that school transport should be based on need rather than parental earnings, as local authorities in England push for significant reforms. The County Councils Network (CCN) has issued a stark warning, stating that demand for home-to-school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) is rising at an unsustainable rate. Without intervention, annual costs could escalate to £3.4 billion by 2030-31, a dramatic increase from £2 billion last year.
Financial Pressures and Proposed Reforms
According to CCN analysis, local authorities could be transporting an additional 100,000 pupils by the end of the decade, equivalent to a city's population of young people. To address this, councils are urging the government to introduce a national means-testing policy. Under this proposal, families above a specified income threshold would be required to contribute financially to transport costs. The CCN report advises that such a policy must be implemented sensitively and progressively, considering the ongoing cost of living crisis.
In addition to means testing, the CCN calls for a review of the statutory walking limits, which currently set eligibility at two miles for children under eight and three miles for those aged eight and over. They recommend annual reviews of transport arrangements with an emphasis on fostering greater independence over time. Clear messaging to parents should stress that individual taxi transport is an option of last resort.
Campaigner Concerns and Opposition
However, campaigners have raised alarms that means testing could severely disadvantage disabled children. Anna Bird, chair of the Disabled Children's Partnership and chief executive of the charity Contact, emphasised that school transport should be determined by a child's needs, not parental income. She highlighted the complexities of transporting disabled children, warning that means testing risks locking them out of education entirely.
Tania Tirraoro, founder and co-director of Special Needs Jungle, criticised local authorities for blaming families and seeking to curtail rights for financial reasons. She asserted that for many young people with Send, school transport is a necessity, not a luxury. Madeleine Cassidy, chief executive of IPSEA, added that long journeys and rising costs stem from years of under-investment and unlawful decision-making, not excessive parental demand.
Current Context and Government Response
Local authorities are legally required to provide free transport for school-age children who cannot walk to their nearest suitable school due to distance, special needs, disabilities, or safety concerns. Last year, councils transported a record 206,000 children with Send, a number projected to rise to 311,000 by 2030-31 if trends continue.
Bill Revans, CCN's Send spokesperson, noted that school transport costs have become one of the biggest pressures on council budgets, describing the numbers as overwhelming. The government recently announced £5 billion to clear 90% of local authority Send debt, contingent on councils aligning with forthcoming reforms. However, this funding does not cover Send home-to-school transport expenses.
A Department for Education spokesperson stated that upcoming Send reforms aim to transform life chances for children with additional needs, ensuring every child can thrive in a suitable school close to home. The forthcoming schools white paper will outline plans for a more inclusive education system, focusing on early support, financial sustainability, and ending the postcode lottery.
