Menu
22/09/2004
Bill set to offer 'greener' school transport options
The government has said that it will proceed with legislation to help selected local education authorities offer greener, safer and healthier ways for pupils to travel to school.
With the help of funding of up to £200,000, it is hoped that up to 20 local education authorities will be able to develop better transport options, including school buses, walking bus schemes and safe cycle routes.
However, local education authorities will be able to make "small charges" for school travel if required, although this would be based strictly on ability to pay.
Responding to the Education and Skills Select Committee report into the draft School Transport Bill published for consultation in Spring 2004, Schools Minister Stephen Twigg confirmed that the bill would be introduced "as soon as parliamentary time allowed".
Mr Twigg said: "Twice as many children are driven to school now in comparison with 20 years ago - around 40% of primary pupils and 20% of secondary pupils. Most of these journeys are less than two miles, meaning decreasing numbers of children walking or cycling with serious health implications in terms of lack of daily exercise and the growing proportion of children who are overweight."
The Bill, which will bring the first changes to school transport legislation in over 60 years, provides for more high quality school buses, as well as extra buses for pupils attending after school activities, and staggered starting times with different schools in the same area staggering their starting times to reduce the number of cars on the road at any one time.
Safe cycle routes to schools, plugged into the national cycle network, with secure storage for bicycles at schools also form part of the transport package.
(gmcg/mb)
With the help of funding of up to £200,000, it is hoped that up to 20 local education authorities will be able to develop better transport options, including school buses, walking bus schemes and safe cycle routes.
However, local education authorities will be able to make "small charges" for school travel if required, although this would be based strictly on ability to pay.
Responding to the Education and Skills Select Committee report into the draft School Transport Bill published for consultation in Spring 2004, Schools Minister Stephen Twigg confirmed that the bill would be introduced "as soon as parliamentary time allowed".
Mr Twigg said: "Twice as many children are driven to school now in comparison with 20 years ago - around 40% of primary pupils and 20% of secondary pupils. Most of these journeys are less than two miles, meaning decreasing numbers of children walking or cycling with serious health implications in terms of lack of daily exercise and the growing proportion of children who are overweight."
The Bill, which will bring the first changes to school transport legislation in over 60 years, provides for more high quality school buses, as well as extra buses for pupils attending after school activities, and staggered starting times with different schools in the same area staggering their starting times to reduce the number of cars on the road at any one time.
Safe cycle routes to schools, plugged into the national cycle network, with secure storage for bicycles at schools also form part of the transport package.
(gmcg/mb)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 June 2010
Met Cops 'Get On Their Bikes'
A new, 30-strong Police Cycle Task Force hit the streets of London today, as the police force, the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) published a draft plan for tackling cycle theft and vandalism in the capital. The Task Force forms part of the Metropolitan Police Service's Safer Transport Command team and is funded by TfL.
Met Cops 'Get On Their Bikes'
A new, 30-strong Police Cycle Task Force hit the streets of London today, as the police force, the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) published a draft plan for tackling cycle theft and vandalism in the capital. The Task Force forms part of the Metropolitan Police Service's Safer Transport Command team and is funded by TfL.
09 September 2004
Citizens Advice highlights school uniform grant crisis
A report launched today by Citizens Advice confirms that school uniform grants are falling far short of covering the financial cost faced by parents. The average cost of a school uniform is now £185, while the average grant available when a child starts secondary school is only £51.27, a mere increase of £2.01 since 2001.
Citizens Advice highlights school uniform grant crisis
A report launched today by Citizens Advice confirms that school uniform grants are falling far short of covering the financial cost faced by parents. The average cost of a school uniform is now £185, while the average grant available when a child starts secondary school is only £51.27, a mere increase of £2.01 since 2001.
05 December 2013
£1bn Towards Free School Meals
£1bn is being unlocked to fund the Department of Education's free school meals commitment. The news, announced by deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, follows an announcement in September that every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools will receive a free school lunch.
£1bn Towards Free School Meals
£1bn is being unlocked to fund the Department of Education's free school meals commitment. The news, announced by deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, follows an announcement in September that every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools will receive a free school lunch.
02 October 2008
Free School Meals For Scots Primary School Pupils
All school pupils in primaries one to three in Scotland are to be entitled to free school meals following successful pilot schemes.
Free School Meals For Scots Primary School Pupils
All school pupils in primaries one to three in Scotland are to be entitled to free school meals following successful pilot schemes.
09 November 2005
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
