Overview
- The National Audit Office reports councils spent £415 million more than budgeted on home-to-school transport in 2023/24, with almost half of local authorities overshooting by 20% or more.
- Total spending reached £2.3 billion in 2023/24 after a 70% increase since 2015/16, according to the latest official figures.
- Transport for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities drove the rise, with spending up 106% since 2015/16 and average per-child costs at £8,116 versus £1,526 for other transport, alongside a 166% increase in EHCPs since 2015.
- The Department for Education projects the bill could exceed £3 billion by 2029/30 if current trends persist.
- Councils have begun narrowing free or subsidised travel for some groups as 520,000 pupils now receive transport, with pressures compounded by higher fuel and wage costs and shrinking rural services.