Council pays £25m in one year on school taxis

Cambridgeshire County Council spent more than £25m on school taxis in 2023-24

More than £25m was spent on school taxis by Cambridgeshire County Council in the last 12 months - an increase of almost £8m in the space of only two years.

Providing Home to School Transport for those eligible is a statutory duty for all councils.

Peterborough City Council spent nearly £5m in its past financial year.

Both councils said a combination of increased demand, general inflation and rising fuel prices were responsible for the higher cost.

Councils are required by law to provide free transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who are unable to walk to school.

Recent BBC research found council spending across England on school transport for SEND placements had almost doubled in the last five years.

Across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, the cost of providing taxis has spiralled.

In the 2021-22 financial year, Cambridgeshire County Council provided taxis for 4,105 pupils. By 2023-24 that figure had risen by a couple of hundred, to 4,364.

But in money terms, providing pupils with taxis went from costing £17,696,173 to £25,630,907 - a rise of almost £8m, equating to 5% of the council's overall spend last year.

Peterborough has also seen cost rises. The 2021-22 financial year saw the city council spend £2,920,167. By 2023-24, that figure grew to £4,745,959, based on 789 pupils using taxis.

'Sense of independence'

The charity Family Voice Peterborough, which looks to improve services for children with disabilities and additional needs, said: "School SEND transport is an integral part of many parent-carers' lives. It allows them to go to work, it allows siblings to walk to school with their parents and allows those with a disability to establish a routine.

"Many children would not get to school on time otherwise. It relieves stress for the parents, as well as the child."

Lisa's son James goes to a special needs school in Peterborough. She told the BBC: "School transport allows me to meet work commitments and keep James in a regular routine, and gives James a sense of independence."

Cambridgeshire County Council said costs associated with journeys were also higher due to a shortage of specialist transport providers providing wheelchair accessible vehicles and longer distances often involved in accessing specialist schooling.

"Future budgets will always prioritise continuing to deliver on our statutory obligations, such as Home to School Transport," the authority said.

Peterborough City Council said: "The increased expenditure is linked to rising demand. We have expanded the school transport team and continue to review contracts to ensure they are providing the best service and value for money."