FREE SCHOOL TRANSPORT IN RURAL AREAS

That this House recognises that facilitating parental choice over children's schooling by extending rights to free school transport is a key part of the Government's education policy; notes that the Education and Inspections Act 2006 increases the right of secondary school pupils from low income families to free transport to one of the three nearest secondary schools where this is more than two and less than six miles from their home; observes that schools in rural areas are often significant distances from local homes and other local schools; and therefore calls on the Government to extend the right to free school transport for children living in rural areas beyond the six mile limit.