Free faith school travel allowance could be cut

Faith school travel expenses are to be looked at again by Bristol City Council.

Currently, free travel is provided to families -regardless of income – who choose to send their children to faith schools that are beyond walking distance.

But the council is now looking to make a saving of more than £400,000 a year by cutting the provision.

The cuts will not affect those with special education needs, on free school meals or with disabilities.

During the last academic year, 1,071 pupils were given free travel to their nearest faith school, with the majority provided a bus pass.

Council leader Barbara Janke said that following a consultation, changes will be announced before families apply for September 2012 school places.

She said: “Councils across Britain are having to make unprecedented cuts in their budgets. We have to ensure that every pound is spent not only effectively, but fairly, too. It was not fair that we provided free travel for families at some schools and not others. And in the current climate it was impossible to justify carrying on with the subsidy.”