"It's a simple change we should have implemented a long time ago'
The M.E.N. is calling on Andy Burnham to implement a free bus pass for children placed in temporary homeless accommodation that is more than 30 minutes' walk from their school.
Homeless families are often placed miles away from home in temporary accommodation. They can only get free transport if they move more than two miles from home and there is no 'suitable school' nearer.
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That presents 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.
That's a choice the Manchester Evening News believes no parent should have to make, which is why we have launched a petition calling on the mayor for change.
Already, Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey has come out in support — and three leading Greater Manchester non-profits have followed suit.
Wood Street Mission, Shared Health, and Resolve Poverty have all publicly stated their support for the move.
Oldham-based Shared Health is an important organisation in the temporary accommodation world, as it is the co-secretariat of the all-party parliamentary group on the subject. Members include Greater Manchester MPs and government ministers, and has long called for the change.
'Shared Health is pleased to support this campaign to give children in temporary accommodation free bus passes across Greater Manchester,' said its chief exec, Dr Laura Neilson. 'It is a simple change that can make a huge difference, and something we should have implemented a long time ago.'
Charity Wood Street Mission has been fighting poverty in Manchester and Salford since 1869, from its base just off Deansgate by providing families with basic items, school uniform, and even Christmas presents.
Des Lynch, its CEO, explained why he's behind the campaign: 'The Wood Street Mission team believe that the one true way to break the cycle of child poverty is by enabling all children to both access and to take a full part in their education. To make the most of the opportunity that education can offer.
'For those families residing in temporary accommodation, their lives can be filled with a myriad of daily challenges. One of which is ensuring that their children get to school each day, which may be many miles away from their allotted accommodation. Free travel to and from school would be one less challenge for those families to overcome.
'This is why Wood Street Mission is in full support of the M.E.N. campaign.'
Resolve Poverty, a social enterprise based in Ardwick, has been fighting poverty in the north west since its inception in 2016.
Its boss, Graham Whitham, said the change will help those in a 'very precarious' position: 'For homeless children living in temporary accommodation, life can feel very precarious – many don't know when they'll next have to move, or where to.
'These children are often moved a considerable distance from their school, causing struggles with the cost and logistics of getting there, and leaving some unable to get there at all.
'Giving free bus passes to children who are moved more than 30 minutes from their school would make an enormous difference. It would remove the pressure on parents of having to find money for the bus, which can be very tough when navigating homelessness, while ensuring that children have a safe, reliable way to get to school, so that they don't miss out on crucial education and social experiences. We at Resolve Poverty fully support this campaign.'
A mayoral spokesperson said previously: '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 to 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.'
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