“Using our locally-controlled Bee Network buses to support families when they need it most is the right thing to do. A move into temporary accommodation is often a massive upheaval for families and can be a worrying time. With this measure, the cost of travel to school will be one less thing for families to worry about.
“It will mean parents and carers don’t have to choose between an extra demand on their household budget and keeping their children with friends and teachers they know and trust.”
A record-high 172,420 children are living in temporary accommodation across England, according to official figures.
The Labour government has set out a plan to reduce the number of families in temporary accommodation through its homelessness strategy.
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Greater Manchester is no different. The Greater Manchester Strategy – the plan for the city region’s next decade – commits to reducing the number of homeless families and children in temporary accommodation.
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Transport for Greater Manchester will now work with councils to agree the details and implement the free travel scheme later this year.
Oldham-based temporary accommodation charity Shared Health Foundation welcomed the plans and urged other mayors and regions to follow Burnham in supporting homeless children with free bus travel.
“We are delighted to hear of the mayor’s support for the Manchester Evening News campaign to provide free bus passes for children living in temporary accommodation in Greater Manchester,” said Dr Laura Neilson, CEO of Shared Health Foundation.
“This campaign success will help break down the barriers to education for children experiencing homelessness. Ensuring that children living in temporary accommodation can continue attending school is essential, as schools provide not only education, but also a vital layer of stability and support during periods of transition.
“We are thankful to Andy Burnham for backing the campaign, and we encourage every other mayor and city region to follow suit immediately.”
Shared Health Foundation campaigned for GPs and teachers to be notified when a child moves into temporary accommodation – one of several measures the government pledged to introduce in its homelessness and child poverty strategies.
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