Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Free Bus Travel: Care Leavers

07 December 2022 · 2 other contributors · 3,372 words

Opened by Steve McCabe Lab Birmingham, Selly Oak

Responding minister: Not recorded

EconomyTransportChildren & Families

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Steve McCabe raised concerns about free bus travel: care leavers in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.

Key points

  • There are about 80,000 children in the care system across England and Wales.
  • Care leavers face challenges including lower educational qualifications, mental health difficulties, and financial vulnerability.
  • The cost of living crisis exacerbates issues for care-experienced young people who rely on buses for essential activities.

Key requests to Government

I ask the Minister to consider extending free bus travel to care leavers aged 18 to 25 in England, inspired by the Barnardo's report 'Transport for Freedom'. I would like him to agree to meet me and representatives of Barnardo's to discuss potential schemes.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Steve McCabe Lab Birmingham, Selly Oak

There are about 80,000 children in the care system across England and Wales, with approximately 10,000 attempting to exit the system each year. Care leavers face numerous challenges including lower educational qualifications, mental health difficulties, and financial vulnerability. The cost of living crisis exacerbates these issues, making travel a necessity rather than a luxury for care-experienced young people who are dependent on buses for essential activities such as attending work interviews and staying connected with family.

Other contributors (2)
  • Daniel Poulter Con Central Suffolk and North Ipswich

    The Minister is right to point out the challenges of running a bus service when there are not enough customers to fund it. There are concessions for many groups in society, so might he at least take away from this debate the potential to look at this proposal, given the vulnerabilities of care leavers? We are dealing with a vulnerable group that is disadvantaged in many ways, for whom this could be a great benefit.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon thanked the hon. Gentleman for bringing forward the debate and highlighted that care leavers under 25 on universal credit need to afford buses to get to appointments and seek employment opportunities, questioning if free bus travel would enable them to do so.

▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy