Norfolk parents face having to pay hundreds of pounds more for transport to get their children to school and college under controversial council proposals.
Norfolk County Council is consulting on plans - slammed by political opponents - to increase the amount families pay for post-16 travel on buses and trains to sixth forms, colleges and specialist courses, saying it needs to save money to plug a £36m funding gap.
The council subsidises travel for some 1,500 young people aged 16 to 19 if they meet certain criteria, including that they live at least three miles away from the sixth form or college and are on full-time further education courses.
But the Reform-led authority says it is not legally obliged to provide the support and that it is costing £8m a year.
As part of its budget proposals, it wants to hike the standard contribution families would make from £660 to £855 in 2027/28, before increasing it again to £1,050 in 2028/29.
Wendy Atkinson, cabinet member for children, families and SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), said: “We have a significant gap in our budget because of growing demands for statutory services, like children’s social care.
"This means we are having to make some difficult decisions and look at the discretionary services we offer, like post 16 transport.
"Spending £8m a year in this area just isn’t sustainable, so we are consulting on proposals which will bring us more in-line with other councils.
"These proposals protect those on the lowest incomes, because we know those students often find it the hardest to access education when they leave school.”
The council says the proposals would "enhance" support for low-income households.
Their subsidy would rise from 25pc to 50pc of the standard annual contribution by 2028/29. Eligible families would pay £510 in 2027/28 and £525 in 2028/29.
The council is also asking for views on removing the Daily Payer Pass option, so students would have to pay in annual, termly or half-termly instalments.
The council says many individual transport operators have their own schemes, which are often cheaper.
But the proposal - and the hefty hike families face - has been criticised by political opponents, especially given concerns over the number of 16 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Maxine Webb, leader of the Green group, said: "It’s staggering to me that the council is proposing this.
"Anything that makes it harder for young people to get on in life and to make choices about their careers and futures, is unforgivable.
"The recent Milburn NEET report warned of a ‘lost generation’ of young people and urged the whole system to act to do something about it.
"It’s mind blowing that the council is now proposing to make it harder for young people to get to places of learning or to have choices about what they study.
"I must have missed the budget proposals cutting the travel expenses councillors can claim.
"Shame on the Reform administration and their messed up priorities, for thinking it’s okay to allow councillors to carry on getting free travel while asking parents pay more for their children to get to school."
Rob Colwell, the opposition Liberal Democrat's transport spokesman, said: “This proposal completely ignores the reality of living in rural Norfolk.
"Many young people have no choice but to travel long distances to get to sixth form, college or specialist courses because local options simply do not exist.
"Families in our villages and market towns are already paying more for transport, fuel and essential services.
"Asking them to pay even more just so their children can access education is deeply unfair.”
Antony Little, Conservative county councillor and principal of The Hewett Academy in Norwich, urged people to take part in the consultation and said he was concerned at the council's lack of research or planning on the impact of the changes.
He said: "Might it change habits so that young people make different choices about their post-16 provision? Might it put some people off all together or force them to study the wrong course but closer to home?"
The consultation at https://norfolk.citizenspace.com/consultation/proposed-changes-to-post-16-travel-scheme runs until Tuesday, December 15.
After that, a report will be drawn up to consider whether to bring in the changes when the council's budget is set in February.
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