Dr Neil Hudson MP brought his campaign to get affordable, sustainable and fair post-16 transport for all to the most prestigious parliamentary platform in the country: Prime Minister's Questions.
In the Chamber, Dr Hudson paid tribute to the "amazing" Alston Moor Federation Headteacher, Gill Jackson, who joined Dr Hudson in securing a dedicated bus service for her students and he was delighted with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's response as he publicly congratulated Mrs Jackson on her achievements and wished her well in her upcoming retirement.
Currently, 16–18-year-olds must continue education or training however the council is not required to provide transport for them. This leaves certain young folk across the country forces to choose between eye-watering travel bills or taking a negative life-changing decision. Dr Hudson publicly called for this to change today, having campaigned tirelessly on the issue for some time now.
As a result, the Prime Minister congratulated Dr Hudson on his achievements and granted him a meeting with the relevant Minister to make progress on this important issue.
Locally those achievements include securing huge amounts of funding so that those across Dr Hudson's rural constituency can make the next positive step in their life by reaching apprenticeships, colleges and sixth forms. This included a bespoke bursary scheme for 16-18-year-olds, who are impeded in reaching training or education by Cumbria's unique geography, and a bus service implemented to maintain adequate access to land-based education operated by Ullswater Community College, Penrith and Myerscough college.
One particular highpoint was when Dr Hudson officially unveiled a new bus service to get young people from Alston Moor who live 20 miles from their nearest college.
This was in no small part thanks to Gill Jackson, who Dr Hudson paid tribute to in front of thousands of international viewers in the House of Commons Chamber at Prime Minister's Questions. Mrs Jackson is retiring this Christmas break and Dr Hudson spoke for the entire Alston Moor community when praising her brilliant impact.
You can read more about the issue here: www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/dr-neil-hudson-mp-secures-funding-get-rural-young-people-school-or-college
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"For too long post-16 transport has been a real roadblock in the outcomes for young people. I have been clear and consistent that this must change, and having secured a meeting with the relevant Ministerial team, I am optimistic progress is coming.
"We simply cannot accept a situation where children are forced to make negative life-changing decisions as a result of limited transport access and am confident we can unlock growth and level up the whole country by remedying this.
"I thank the Prime Minister for echoing my congratulations to Gill Jackson for her hard work and wishing her well in retirement. Gill is a true community champion who has given so much to improve the lives of so many young people and their families throughout Alston Moor. It was an honour to be able to pay tribute to her in the House of Commons at PMQs."
The full exchange in the Chamber:
Dr Neil Hudson MP asked:
"Thank you, Mr Speaker. We expect our young folk to remain in education or training until they are 18, but many lack transport to get there.
"With the amazing Headteacher of Alston Moor Federation, Gill Jackson, I secured funding from the Council to get her students to college, and pressed the council for a half a million pound bursary scheme to extend youth travel more widely.
"But we shouldn’t have to do this.
"To secure equality of opportunity and true levelling up, will the Prime Minister look to mandate and support councils to provide post 16 transport, so all our young people in towns, cities and rural areas can reach their next stage in life?"
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak replied:
"My Honourable Friend, and the Headteacher of Alston Moor Federation Gill Jackson have done a fantastic job in securing more funding and I wish her well also, I believe, on her upcoming retirement.
"As he knows our school travel policy ensures that no child is prevented from accessing education by lack of transport.
"Not only do we have home to school travel policies, but the 16-19 Bursary Fund can be used to support young people with transport costs and more generally we are taking action to keep bus fares capped at £2 Mr Speaker.
"But, I will happily make sure that my Honourable Member gets a meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss his proposals further."
Watch the full Prime Minister's Questions session from 12:00:00 here. Dr Hudson's question begins at 12:17:01.
