Local Schools will be hit by Government's Transport Plans

9.00.00am GMT Fri 7th Jan 2005

Local schools will be hit by Labour's stealth tax on transport

Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North Andrew Simpson has warned how local schools will be hit under plans by the Government to end free school transport for all children living more than 3 miles from their school..

"Labour's school transport bill is nothing more than a stealth tax on working parents by introducing charges for children using school transport based on trips over 3 miles" said Andrew. "Labour clearly want to encourage more private car use on the already congested school run - this is just short-sighted penny pinching".

The Lib Dem amendment to halt the introduction of charges was defeated just before Christmas with the Labour MP for Northampton North Sally Keeble not being present in the vote.

"Clearly Sally Keeble does not see this as important to her constituents and is so doing is ignoring the hundreds of parents who send their children to schools in the town. She is clearly happy for Northampton roads to become more congested" said Andrew

The school transport bill also removes entitlement to free school transport to children who attend church schools something that has already had an impact on schools such as All Saints in Northampton and will also affect the new Unity College school in Trinity Avenue.

"Labour's mantra of school choice means nothing if they only way children can get to these schools is by private means", said Andrew "The Government is letting down thousands of families who choose to send their children to church schools".