Tim Farron calls for Education Secretary to make transport affordable for college and sixth form students

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has challenged the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, to provide affordable transport for students travelling to sixth form or college.

Last month, Tim and other Liberal Democrat MPs tabled an amendment to the Government’s Bus Services Bill, which would have introduced a half-price discount on bus fares for people in post-16 education. 

However this proposal was not adopted by the Government.

Speaking yesterday in the House of Commons, Tim said: “Perhaps the biggest single barrier that prevents young people from rural communities such as mine accessing vocational studies through FE colleges is that they live so far away and travel costs a fortune. 

“For a student living in Appleby, Kirkby Stephen, Coniston or Windermere, it can cost them £1,000 a year to get to Kendal, Barrow, Lancaster or Penrith. 

“What will the Secretary of State do to put an end to that barrier to young people staying in further education?”

The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson replied: “I recognise the additional barriers that exist around transport, which are a particular challenge in rural communities, sadly, although not uniquely in rural communities. 

“That is part of the reason why this Government are bringing forward wide-ranging reforms, including to our bus network, to make sure that it serves the interests of communities, businesses and students much more effectively. 

“I gather from my honourable friend the Member for Whitehaven and Workington (Josh MacAlister) sitting next to me on the Front Bench that extra investment is going into rural bus services in his and the honourable gentleman’s part of the world.”