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Jess Brown-Fuller calls on Government to address bus travel for college students in Selsey
MP for Chichester, Jess Brown-Fuller, has asked the Government what they are doing to ensure students can access post-16 education in rural and coastal areas. This issue has been raised at Jess’ regular advice surgeries and Q&A sessions and is a particular concern for families living on the manhood peninsula who have no access to post-16 courses unless they travel into the City.
Jess raised the issue in relation to young people who are not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), saying that one in five students are not in regular education despite being signed up for college. She linked this to the cost of getting to and from college and called on the Government to address the issue.
Jess asked,
‘Students on the Manhood peninsula in my constituency have no access to post-16 education unless they travel into the city to go to the brilliant Chichester college, and those parents who are paying for a student’s bus fare are struggling to find, £1,200 a year to get them there. Given that it is estimated that one in five students is not in regular education even though they are signed up for college, what steps can the Secretary of State take to make sure that all those living in coastal areas can access post-16 education, and that parents can afford to get them there?’
Lucy Powell, Minister for Education responded,
‘I absolutely hear the hon. Lady. I know how closely related transport and its costs are with young people having access to the education and training that they need. Rest assured, this is a priority for the Government.’
Afterwards, Jess said:
“Students across the Manhood Peninsula are struggling to afford the extortionate costs of getting to and from college. It’s utterly ridiculous that this can stretch to well over £1,000 a year.”
“If this Government are really interested in addressing the NEETs crisis, they’d deal with this issue as a priority. Rural areas shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences because they rely on bus services.”
“The Prime Minister is a fierce advocate for affordable bus travel so now he must put his money where his mouth is”.
