Bradford's education scrutiny committee has called for free travel for children who attend faith schools to remain in place "at present".

Current rules allow pupils who live between two and 15 miles from denominational schools to claim travel expenses to and from school.

However, earlier this year the Council announced proposals to remove the entitlement from all youngsters, except secondary school pupils from low-income families, claiming savings of up to £375,000 per year could be made.

About 900 children would be affected if the plans get the green light.

Speaking to a meeting of the Young People and Education Scrutiny Committee last night, Maggie Peel, the Council's strategic education advisor, stressed a decision on the issue had not yet been made, but added: "It's a parent's responsibility to get their child to school.

"The bus will still be there - what would be different would be the fact that they would have to pay."

Mrs Peel said the Council recognised scrapping free faith school travel would increase traffic levels, but added it felt it had a duty to transfer free school travel to more "vulnerable" groups.

They include pupils who attend the Tracks Pupil Referral Unit, which young people attend for medical reasons; those who travel to Primary Behaviour Units; pregnant schoolgirls attending the Newlands Unit; special educational needs pupils; and young people with disabilities.

Claire Parr, the committee's Catholic Church representative, labelled scrapping free faith school travel "crazy" on environmental reasons alone. Mrs Parr added it would have a "huge impact", particularly in outlying areas of the district.

Mrs Parr said 117 children from Ilkley travelled to St Mary's Catholic secondary school in Menston using bus passes.

Committee chairman, Councillor Andrew Thornton, said the Diocese of Leeds' plans to reorganise Catholic secondary school provision in the district could have important consequences on the decision to scrap free faith school travel.

He added the committee did not at present have "any clear idea as to how many children are likely to be affected" by the reorganisation proposals, which could see Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College close.

Coun Sajawal Hussain (City, Labour) questioned what choice parents who could not afford to send their children to faith schools of their choice would be left with.

In a recommendation to the Council's executive, the committee said that as the impact of removing free faith school travel remained "unquantifiable", it should remain "at present". However, the recommendation added that "reform may be needed" in the future "in order to accommodate the needs of more vulnerable children".

The Council's executive will have the final say on the issue.

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