Two Greater Manchester MPs have thrown their weight behind our campaign for free bus passes for children in temporary homeless accommodation
Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP for Salford, said: “[Rules] are forcing parents to make impossible choices: pay for daily travel they can’t afford, or uproot their child from school, friends, and support networks—often for just a few weeks or months—causing huge disruption to their education and wellbeing.
“These children need stability. They need access to their school, their teachers, their friends. A free bus pass is a small step that would make a big difference.”
Christian Wakeford, MP for Bury South, has publicly come out in support of the campaign.
“I’m absolutely behind M.E.N.’s campaign on this issue,” he said. “Having dealt with many families who are placed in emergency accommodation, I know all too well how much of a negative impact such a move can sometimes have, especially on a child’s upbringing, leaving friends, teachers and well-established relationships.
“Facilitating that child to stay in their current place of education through a new bus pass is a small measure that could potentially have a huge impact on those children and families affected.”
Three major not-for-profit organisations have also joined the cause, namely Shared Health, Wood Street Mission, and Resolve Poverty.
"Shared Health is pleased to support this campaign to give children in temporary accommodation free bus passes across Greater Manchester,” said its chief exec, Dr Laura Neilson. “It is a simple change that can make a huge difference, and something we should have implemented a long time ago."
And a spokesperson for the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, says he has asked Transport for Greater Manchester to consider the campaign as part of a concessions review.
He said: “Education is the foundation that sets our young people up to fulfil their potential, and it’s vital that we support them in those critical years.
“We are doing a lot to make travel easier and more affordable for everyone in Greater Manchester, including children and young adults. That includes £1 single bus fares, free travel for 16-18-year-olds, an extension of free travel for care leavers and, from next month, half price bus travel for 18-21-year-olds.
“Transport for Greater Manchester is currently undertaking a broader review of concessions, considering all the requests for support that we get from a range of groups across the city-region, and the Mayor has asked them to ensure this is included.”
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