School Transport In Lancashire

EDM number 1004 in 1997-98, proposed by Michael Jack on 11/03/1998.

That this House condemns Labour-controlled Lancashire County Council for their plans to scrap free school travel for all 16 to 18 year olds in the county; expresses concern at the decision to withdraw luncheon vouchers; welcomes the amendment put down recently by Conservative councillors which forced the council to reconsider its decision; notes that any decision by Labour councillors to withdraw these benefits will affect approximately 3,000 students in further education in the county this year and 7,000 next year; notes that higher education students in Lancashire will already have to pay ú1,000 for their tuition fees and see the phasing out of their maintenance grant; further notes that these policies could mean, for some of those affected, the difference between continuing with their education or having to work, thus ending their education earlier than they would have wished; sees this as nothing more than another back-door tax; and urges the Labour-controlled county council to withdraw its short-sighted and damaging policy decision.

This motion has been signed by a total of 2 MPs.