Campaign for Free Bus Pass for Homeless Children in Greater Manchester Gains Momentum

Strategic Insights -

As the movement to grant homeless children in temporary accommodation a free bus pass in Greater Manchester gathers pace, pressure is mounting on Mayor Andy Burnham to take action. The Manchester Evening News (M.E.N.)-led campaign has gained the support of six local MPs, including Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme, who announced his backing for the initiative. The campaign aims to provide homeless children with a free bus pass if they are placed in temporary accommodation more than a 30-minute walk from school. This is a pressing issue, as many families are placed in temporary accommodation miles from their home, resulting in children having to travel long distances to school.

Key Takeaways:

  • The M.E.N. campaign aims to provide homeless children with a free bus pass if they are placed in temporary accommodation more than a 30-minute walk from school.
  • Six local MPs have announced their support for the campaign, including Labour's Afzal Khan, Christian Wakeford, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Yasmin Qureshi, and two Liberal Democrats: Lisa Smart and Tom Morrison.
  • The campaign has also gained support from three major not-for-profits: Resolve Poverty, Wood Street Mission, and Shared Health.
  • The Greater Manchester Mayor's office has acknowledged the campaign and is currently reviewing concessions for transport, including the possibility of extending free travel to homeless children.
  • Currently, only children who move more than two miles from home and do not have a suitable school nearby are eligible for free transport.
  • Homeless parents often face a difficult choice: pay for buses they previously didn't need to pay for, or move their children to a different school if places are available.

Statistics:

  • Six local MPs have announced their support for the campaign.
  • The M.E.N. campaign has launched only two weeks ago.
  • Currently, 984 children in Greater Manchester live in temporary accommodation (Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2022).
  • Only 18% of homeless families in Greater Manchester have access to free transport to school (Greater Manchester Mayor's office, 2020).
  • The majority of homeless families are placed in temporary accommodation more than two miles from their home (Greater Manchester Mayor's office, 2020).

Sources:

  • Manchester Evening News
  • Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme
  • Resolve Poverty
  • Wood Street Mission
  • Shared Health
  • Housing, Communities and Local Government (2022)
  • Greater Manchester Mayor's office (2020)
  • Andy Burnham's office (2023)
  • Quote attributed to Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme, without date.