Send transport reforms to tackle rising school costs

Published: 19 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Councils across England are calling for a “radical” approach to means testing school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities, or Send, amid rising demand. Local authorities warn that without reform, home-to-school transport costs could soar to £3.4bn by 2030-31, up from £2bn last year, creating unsustainable pressures on council budgets. The County Councils Network (CCN) emphasised that this surge could see councils transporting 100,000 extra pupils, equivalent to the population of a medium-sized city, unless the system is overhauled.

The CCN report urges the government to introduce a national means-testing policy, where families above a defined income threshold would contribute financially to transport costs. Officials stressed that any such policy would require a sensitive, progressive implementation, recognising the continuing cost of living crisis affecting households nationwide. In addition, councils recommend reviewing statutory walking limit eligibility, currently set at two miles for under-eights and three miles for older children, while encouraging greater independence for pupils over time. Messaging to parents should clarify that individual taxi transport is an option of last resort.

Despite these proposals, campaigners have raised serious concerns over the potential impact on children with disabilities. Anna Bird, chair of the Disabled Children’s Partnership and chief executive of the charity Contact, cautioned that means testing could effectively prevent disabled children from accessing education. She highlighted that transporting pupils with additional needs involves more complex arrangements than for non-disabled peers, meaning that financial criteria alone cannot ensure fair access to schooling.

Under current legislation, local authorities are obligated to provide free transport for children who cannot safely walk to a suitable school due to distance, safety concerns, or specific educational needs. Recent government measures include a £5bn programme to clear 90% of local authority Send debt, conditional on councils adopting forthcoming reforms detailed in an imminent white paper. However, this funding does not cover the escalating costs of home-to-school transport for pupils with Send.

Statistics from last year indicate that councils transported approximately 206,000 children and young people with Send, a record figure, which is projected to rise to 311,000 by 2030-31 if trends persist. Bill Revans, CCN’s spokesperson for Send issues, warned that transport expenditure is becoming one of the most significant pressures on council budgets, and without intervention, local authorities will struggle to manage the additional 100,000 pupils in just six years.

Advocates for families and children with Send argue that proposals to introduce financial contributions overlook the essential nature of transport. Tania Tirraoro, founder and co-director of Special Needs Jungle, criticised the approach as a recurring strategy where families are blamed for exercising their rights, and councils seek to curtail them for budgetary reasons. She stressed that school transport is a necessity, not a luxury, for many young people with additional needs, as it enables access to education and inclusion.

Madeleine Cassidy, chief executive of IPSEA, a charity specialising in Send law in England, added that rising transport costs and long journeys are consequences of years of underinvestment and unlawful decisions that have forced children into schools far from home. She emphasised that these systemic pressures should not justify reducing the legal rights or entitlements of children with additional needs.

The Department for Education responded by emphasising that its upcoming Send reforms aim to transform life chances for children with additional needs. Officials stated that the schools white paper would outline measures to build a more inclusive education system, provide early support, restore financial sustainability, and eliminate the postcode lottery affecting access to suitable schooling. These reforms, the department asserted, will ensure every child can thrive in a school that meets their specific needs close to home.

The debate over means testing Send school transport highlights broader tensions between rising local authority costs and the fundamental rights of children with additional needs. Councils argue that without radical measures, transport provision will become increasingly unsustainable, yet campaigners warn that any financial barriers risk excluding vulnerable children from education. This balance between fiscal responsibility and equitable access remains a critical issue as England prepares to implement its next phase of Send reforms.

Transport for pupils with Send is not a mere logistical challenge but a lifeline that enables daily education and social inclusion. Advocates point out that imposing means tests could disproportionately affect families already facing financial hardship, especially during a period of widespread economic pressures. The CCN report suggests that carefully designed, progressive contributions might help sustain the system, but campaigners insist that these must not compromise the principle that access to education is a right, not a privilege.

The government’s upcoming schools white paper is expected to address both financial sustainability and inclusivity, proposing reforms that may include earlier intervention, enhanced support for local authorities, and guidance to ensure consistent provision across regions. By clearly defining transport eligibility and emphasising independence where possible, policymakers aim to reduce unnecessary costs while maintaining accessibility for children with additional needs.

Meanwhile, local authorities are considering practical measures such as annual reviews of transport arrangements, which could encourage greater independence and potentially reduce reliance on individual taxis. Clear communication with parents remains central to ensuring that transport options are understood and that choices reflect both need and sustainability. Critics, however, continue to caution that any shift towards means testing must not inadvertently create barriers that compromise educational opportunities for children with Send.

In summary, the call for means testing school transport for children with Send represents a complex challenge at the intersection of public finances, children’s rights, and educational equity. Councils are advocating for radical reform to manage increasing demand, yet campaigners stress that transport must remain guided by need rather than income. With rising pupil numbers and escalating costs, the government’s forthcoming white paper will be closely watched to see how these competing priorities are reconciled.

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