The M.E.N. is calling on Andy Burnham to make the change(Image: ABNM Photography)

Pressure is mounting on Andy Burnham after a sixth Greater Manchester MP announced they support the M.E.N.’s campaign to give children in temporary accommodation a free bus pass.

Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme, is the latest figure to lend their support to the campaign, which launched only two weeks ago.

The Manchester Evening News is calling on Andy Burnham to implement a free bus pass for homeless children placed in temporary accommodation that’s more than a 30-minute walk from school.

School transport campaign

Greater Manchester’s homeless parents face an impossible choice: Try and find the money to keep their children in the classroom, or move schools.

It’s a choice we believe no parent should make.

That’s why we call on Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, to implement a free bus pass for children in temporary accommodation more than a 30-minute walk from their original school.

Greater Manchester’s homeless families are often placed in temporary accommodation miles from home by councils, so their children go from walking to school to being a long journey away.

Council rules say children can only get free transport if they move more than two miles from home and there is no ‘suitable school’ nearer. But it’s near-impossible to be further than three miles from a school in the city.

That presents homeless parents a difficult choice: Fork out for buses they previously didn’t need to pay for, or move their children to a different school, if places are available.

Now, Mr Khan has announced he is backing the call.

He said: “Unstable housing causes chaos for families. I empathise deeply with those who want to offer their children stability when they’re living in temporary accommodation by keeping them in a school that is familiar, comfortable, and understands their needs.

The M.E.N. is calling on Mr Burnham to implement the bus pass(Image: Manchester Evening News)

“This is why I am glad to support this campaign, which I believe gives children the best opportunity to thrive during such challenging times.”

Other MPs backing the campaign include Labour’s Rebecca Long-Bailey (Salford), Christian Wakeford (Bury South), and Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South and Walkden), plus two Liberal Democrats: Lisa Smart (Hazel Grove) and Tom Morrison (Cheadle).

They join three major not-for-profits, Resolve Poverty, Wood Street Mission, and Shared Health.

Previously, a mayoral spokesperson said: “We are doing a lot to make travel easier and more affordable for everyone in Greater Manchester, including children and young adults. That includes £1 single bus fares, free travel for 16-18-year-olds, an extension of free travel for care leavers and, from next month, half price bus travel for 18-21-year-olds.

“Transport for Greater Manchester is currently undertaking a broader review of concessions, considering all the requests for support that we get from a range of groups across the city-region, and the Mayor has asked them to ensure this is included.”

School transport campaign

Greater Manchester’s homeless parents face an impossible choice: Try and find the money to keep their children in the classroom, or move schools.

It’s a choice we believe no parent should make.

That’s why we call on Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, to implement a free bus pass for children in temporary accommodation more than a 30-minute walk from their original school.