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School children are missing out on vital education – but one thing can help them(Image: PA)<\/p>\nAnother Greater Manchester Labour MP has backed the M.E.N.’s campaign calling on Andy Burnham to implement a free bus pass for children in temporary accommodationSchool children are missing out on vital education – but one thing can help them(Image: PA)<\/p>\n
Another Labour MP has backed the Manchester Evening News\u2019 campaign calling on Andy Burnham<\/a> to implement a free bus pass for children in temporary homeless accommodation.<\/p>\n Families who are made homeless are often placed in temporary accommodation by councils, usually resulting in children moving from walking distance away from school to being miles away from the classroom.<\/p>\n However, council rules across Greater Manchester say children can only get free transport if they move more than two miles from home and there is no \u2018suitable school\u2019 nearer.<\/p>\n It\u2019s near-impossible to be further than three miles from a school in the city, giving parents a difficult choice: Fork out for buses they previously didn\u2019t need to pay for, or move their children to a different school, if places are available.<\/p>\n The M.E.N. believes this is a choice no homeless parent should have to make. It\u2019s why we\u2019re calling on Andy Burnham to implement a free bus pass for children placed in temporary homeless accommodation that is more than 30 minutes\u2019 walk from their school.<\/p>\n Now, Christian Wakeford, MP for Bury<\/a> South, has publicly come out in support of the campaign.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m absolutely behind M.E.N.\u2019s campaign on this issue,\u201d he said. \u201cHaving dealt with many families who are placed in emergency accommodation, I know all too well how much of a negative impact such a move can sometimes have, especially on a child\u2019s upbringing, leaving friends, teachers and well-established relationships.<\/p>\n \u201cFacilitating that child to stay in their current place of education through a new bus pass is a small measure that could potentially have a huge impact on those children and families affected.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Wakeford, first elected in 2019 to represent Bury South as a Conservative joined Labour<\/a> in early 2022. He is the second Labour MP from Greater Manchester to join the campaign.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_JRP_MEN_040724_election_043JPG.jpg\")
Christian Wakeford won re-election in 2024(Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n