Written question WQ95730
- Asked by
- Llyr GruffyddPlaid
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Education
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of Coleg Cambria’s decision to scrap free student transport next year due to rising costs and budget constraints?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Further and Higher Education
Coleg Cambria updated its student transport policy in June 2024. This provided advance notice of the charges which will be made for student transport from September 2025. The policy is available on-line: https://www.cambria.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Student-Transport-Policy.pdf
From September 2025 Coleg Cambria will provide subsidised transport for students living more than three miles from the nearest College campus offering their chosen course. The charge for a subsidised travel pass will be £90 per term for students aged 18 or under and £160 per term for students aged 19 and above. Staff at Medr are currently in discussions with Coleg Cambria regarding the implications for students of these changes.
The college will continue to ensure learners are informed about the availability of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and Welsh Government Learning Grant FE to assist with travel and other daily expenses.
Medr makes funding available to further education institutions for the purpose of supporting Financial Contingency Funds (FCFs) which may be used to assist students with costs associated with their studies if they are facing financial hardship. This can include transport.
I recognise the transport challenges for post-16 learners and the financial pressures that FE institutions and local authorities are facing. There are a range of schemes offering discounted and free travel for children and young people on public transport in Wales. These are kept under regular review.