Last Month Redcar and Cleveland Council’s Scrutiny Board recommended that a decision to impose charges for transport to faith schools with immediate effect, should be reconsidered by the Labour Cabinet.

This week, the Cabinet voted to ignore the recommendation to reconsider and pushed ahead with the original proposal. This decision by the Labour Cabinet will see families of children who currently attend faith schools having to find £380 per year to pay for their travel when they have previously been able to get to school for free.

Liberal Democrat Opposition Councillors have opposed this policy from the start, arguing that this is an unfair increase on those who already attend a faith school or who have been offered a place which included free school travel.  They would like to see Labour phase this policy in rather than just cutting off all help so that children are not at a disadvantage and it does not have an adverse effect on their education. Both Middlesbrough and North Yorkshire Councils are phasing in the policy to safeguard standards and prevent disruption to children during this crucial period in their education.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Josh Mason commented:

“This will put some families under great financial strain and force them to choose between the breadline and their children’s future.

“It is highly irresponsible of the Labour Council to break the agreement they have with students and their families.

“Although the Lib Dems believe in parity across the board, removing this subsidy suddenly, without warning, is not fair and poses a real threat to educational security and standards.”